OCEAN CITY — The combination of near-perfect late fall weather and a four-day Thanksgiving holiday drew summer-like crowds to the resort, resulting in a new record for Winterfest over the extended weekend.
Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City’s centerpiece attraction based at Northside Park during the holiday season, drew 22,423 visitors from Wednesday through Sunday, setting a new record for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The previous record for the same time frame for Thanksgiving weekend was set in 2011 when 21,149 enjoyed Winterfest of Lights. Last year, 19,918 came through the gates at Winterfest over the same weekend. Last year’s Winterfest set the overall attendance record for the 23-year special event.
Last weekend’s record was largely weather-driven, with daytime temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s for much of the weekend and evening temps not dipping much further below. Big crowds strolled the Boardwalk and enjoyed the beach and even a handful of late fall swimmers enjoyed a dip in the ocean. Anecdotally, around 6 p.m. on Friday, the line of vehicles in the center lane of Coastal Highway waiting to enter the Winterfest of Lights area at Northside Park at 125th Street was backed up to about 118th Street.
According to Ocean City Special Events Director Frank Miller, the weather last weekend was comparable to the same weekend in 2011 when the previous Thanksgiving record was set. Last year, the average temperature over the holiday weekend was about 15 degrees cooler.
“Weather is always a major variable in any outdoor event, and we had optimal conditions this past weekend with mild temperatures, no wind and no rain,” he said. “Add to that the official start of the holiday season, great value for visitors and simply being an all-around fun event for the entire family, it became the perfect mix for record attendance.”
Ocean City Communications Manager Jessica Waters agreed the big holiday crowds and the outstanding late fall weather created ideal conditions for Winterfest of Lights last weekend.
“When it comes to a specific event like Winterfest, which historically has increased attendance over the holiday weekend, but is also very weather dependent, a fabulous forecast can lead to incredible attendance numbers, which is what we saw happen last weekend,” she said. “The Winterfest event alone is such an outstanding opportunity for families to get outside, take in the crisp fresh air at Northside Park and soak in the holiday spirit with the beautiful displays, magical ride on the Winterfest Express and the music and joy that fills the Winterfest Village, but adding beautiful weather is just the icing on the cake.”
While weekend visitors mostly filled the ranks in the winding lines at Winterfest last weekend, there was an in-kind number of local residents and their families who enjoy the resort’s main offseason attraction each holiday season.
“Winterfest attracts locals and tourists alike for what has become an Eastern Shore tradition for many,” said Miller. “Santa will tell you many stories of children who sat on his lap year after year and now bring their children to see him. So, although the 58 acres of light displays is the primary attraction at Northside Park, Winterfest is all about the memories created. That is the draw and that is what we cater to, providing a memorable experience.”
While the ever-changing Winterfest of Lights continues to set new records, there is room for growth in the future, according to Miller.
“We are quickly approaching the event’s 25th anniversary in 2017 and our goal is to carefully grow the event as a main attraction to residents and guests for years to come,” he said. “We want Winterfest of Lights to exemplify the warmth and holiday spirit we all look forward to this time of year.”
Waters agreed the stellar weather created a summer-like buzz around the resort in general on Thanksgiving weekend, beyond the big numbers posted at Winterfest.
“I don’t know about you, but I cannot think of anyone who isn’t thankful to be at the beach, especially when the weather was as perfect as it was this year,” she said. “For families who traveled to Ocean City for the holiday weekend, the weather could not have been better and as we can tell from our attendance numbers and the crowds on the Boardwalk, many residents and visitors took advantage of the temperatures and enjoyed everything our wonderful beach community has to offer outdoors all year round.”
