OCEAN CITY — If you are looking for fireworks with a view, then you want to celebrate your Fourth of July holiday in Ocean City. With your family and friends, beach chairs and blankets, watch the fireworks sparkle over the beautiful water in one of two great locations offering concerts and fireworks displays for free.
At Northside Park, 125th Street and the bay, The U.S. Army Band Downrange starts the evening off at 8 p.m. The spectacular fireworks display may be viewed from anywhere in the park at 9:30 p.m. with 10-year-old singing sensation Baylee Morrison leading the patriotic show with the National Anthem.
“You’ll hear the oohs and aahs throughout the park as families’ watch the colorful displays light up the evening sky,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “We encourage spectators to get there early to claim their spot to watch the fireworks.”
On the south end of town, you can head to Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk with its bright lights, assortment of food, family fun and more fantastic fireworks. Frankie & the Pack will perform on the new Caroline Street Stage at 8 p.m. with fireworks filling the sky beginning at 9:30 p.m.
“The July 4th Celebration in Ocean City is a unique opportunity to watch fireworks sparkle over the ocean,” Meehan said. “The celebration will also be the first time we have used our brand new stage at Caroline Street, so bring your beach chair or blanket and claim a spot on the beach for a special and patriotic display.”
The Town of Ocean City is making a change to normal parking operations in the Inlet Parking Lot on Friday, July 4, by charging a $50 flat-fee for all day parking. The fee, which is good for one-entry, will allow visitors to come as early as 5:30 a.m. and stay as late as midnight, without being charged an hourly parking rate. In addition, a late entry fee will be permitted based on availability at 3 p.m. for a fee of $30, also allowing one-entry only. Once the lot fills, visitors will be encouraged to use neighboring parking lots, including Worcester Street, Somerset Street, Dorchester Street, North Division Street, 4th Street and the West Ocean City Park & Ride. The normal “ticketed” parking operations will return at 12 a.m. on July 5.
Parking is extremely limited at both locations. It is recommended that visitors take the bus. Bus service is $3 ride all day. The West Ocean City Park & Ride on Route 50 is just west of the Route 50 Bridge and offers free parking and $3 ride-all-day shuttle service to downtown. Also, area boaters should note that on the evening of July 4th, the span of the Route 50 Bridge will remain closed to marine traffic at the usually scheduled 10:25 p.m. and 10:55 p.m. opening times. The Route 50 Bridge will reopen for boaters at 11:25 p.m. on the evening of July 4th.
“The Fourth of July holiday is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to stay and play in Ocean City,” Meehan said. “With a beautiful setting and two great fireworks events, we hope our guests will come early and stay late to celebrate America’s birthday at the beach.”