Thursday, July 5 - Ocean City Fireworks Displays Postponed

OCEAN CITY - High wind forced Ocean City officials to pull the plug on the town's traditional fireworks displays last night.

Early yesterday morning, a heavy rain surprised residents and visitors in the region. Throughout the day, clouds lingered behind but the main culprit was a heavy wind out of the south. Sustained winds of more than 20 mph and gusts reaching in the upper-30 mph range were just too much for the decision makers in Ocean City.

Although the fireworks did not take place at Northside Park, the city went on with its Jamboree in the Park, which featured carnival-style food and games as well as live entertainment and a miniature amusement park area for the kids and those young at heart. Hundreds of people took part in the annual event on a beautiful, albeit windy, night.

The town puts off two fireworks displays each year - one at N. Division Street on the Boardwalk and the other at Northside Park. Additionally, Seacrets on 49^th Street annually plans its own fireworks display, but that show was canceled as well due to safety concerns expressed by the Ocean City Fire Marshals Office.

Although thunderstorms have been predicted for all of Thursday and a steady wind persists on the coast, town officials are planning on holding the fireworks displays this evening at 9:30 p.m. Should they not be able to hold it again tonight, it will be held Friday.

This is not the first time in recent history weather has wreaked havoc on the Independence Day fireworks.

Two years ago, a beautiful day was marred somewhat by an evening fog that lingered over the resort just in time for the fireworks. While the display was still fired off, the fireworks were not visible as they burst in the haze, leaving people wondering what color or size they were.

A serious thunderstorm last year forced the town to delay the fireworks by 30 minutes. The storm chased most residents and visitors from the Boardwalk and Northside Park, but, once the storm had passed, those who bared the conditions were treated to a spectacle highlighted by an array of colors.