OCEAN CITY — The Town of Ocean City will once again offer a fireworks display at Northside Park to help revelers ring into the New Year.
A New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show will be held on Thursday night at Northside Park to celebrate the beginning of 2016 and the 23rd Annual Winterfest of Lights. The fireworks display, which will begin promptly at midnight, will be accompanied by live entertainment, warm hot chocolate, and the opportunity to ride the Winterfest of Lights.
Hours for the Winterfest of Lights will be extended until just before midnight, allowing visitors to travel through the winter paradise of lights and then listen to music by “DJ Kutt” as they wait for the countdown to midnight.
“The New Year’s Eve fireworks show continues to be a popular occasion, offering a fun way for families to celebrate the New Year,” said Mayor Rick Meehan. “The fireworks show is free for everyone and is an exciting, and affordable option, for people of all ages to ring in the New Year in Ocean City.”
In order to encourage responsible celebrations this New Year’s Eve, the Town of Ocean City will offer passengers free service on the Coastal Highway Beach Bus. Modifying their normal schedule for the holiday, the town’s Transportation Department will offer free bus service from 6 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 6 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Additionally, on Dec. 31, bus services will run every 20 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every 10 minutes from 6 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1. Buses on New Year’s Day will also run every 20 minutes from 4 a.m. until 7 a.m., at which time they will resume a normal winter service schedule of every 40 minutes.
The Town of Ocean City is also reminding citizens that administrative offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. There will be no trash collection on New Year’s Day. Instead, all trash will be collected on Thursday, Dec. 31.
In Berlin, Main Street will be transformed into a family friendly mini-Times Square, featuring dancing in the streets to music and a ball drop at midnight. Horse and carriage rides will be offered started at 8 p.m.
In Salisbury, a family-style ball drop will take place once again centered around Headquarters Live with doors opening at 8 p.m. with live music by the Bonedaddys. Fireworks are also planned at midnight over the marina. Food vendors will also be available.