WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCEAN CITY

Music Pier To Go Country With Eli Young Band on August 21

New Student Arts Showcase Takes Over Music Pier on Saturday

Tickets for a summer country music concert featuring the Eli Young Band will go on sale starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 24. The band will bring its “10 Years: 10,000 Towns Tour” to the Ocean City Music Pier at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 21.

College classmates formed the band 20 years ago, and the Associated Press has celebrated the group as “a smart, relevant antidote” to clichés in country music. The band has amassed 14 Billboard charting singles, including four No. 1 hits, including “Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” “Love Ain’t” and “Drunk Last Night.” The band won an Academy of Country Music award for Song of the Year and received nominations for multiple Grammy, CMA, CMT, ACA and Teen Choice awards.

The musical band of brothers – Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson – play their own instruments, write their own songs and cling fast to their Texas roots. While selling out venues from coast-to-coast as strong headliners, the Eli Young Band has also shared the stage with Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Chris Young, Darius Rucker and Dave Matthews Band.

Visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or call 609-399-6111 to purchase tickets after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

OCEAN CITY SCHOOLS ARTS SHOWCASE SET FOR SATURDAY

A new event on Saturday, April 27 at the Ocean City Music Pier will showcase the exceptional talents of our community's young artists. Presented by the Ocean City Primary, Ocean City Intermediate and Ocean City High schools, this event will feature an eclectic mix of creative works and live performances.

Admission is free, allowing everyone the opportunity to support and appreciate the artistic endeavors of our youth. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a special reception and recognition ceremony scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live performances, including dance, drama, and music, will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

MORE SPRING EVENTS IN OCEAN CITY

April 27-28 – Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Table Sales: 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and on Asbury Avenue. 

MAY 3 – Martin Z. Mollusk Day: Come and find out if summer is coming early, 11 a.m. at 9th Street Beach.

MAY 3 – Junior Jazz Battle Royal: The Happy Accidentals (Egg Harbor Township High School) will face The Deptford Jazz Ensemble (Deptford High School) at 6:30 p.m. in the Ocean City Arts Center's first-ever Junior Jazz Battle Royal. The concert follows in the tradition of the Battle of the Bands popularized by an early 20th century concert staple in which two popular orchestras would try to outperform one another in front of a live audience. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made online at oceancityartscenter.org or by calling 609-399-7628.

MAY 4 – Spring Block Party: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from 5th Street to 14th Street on Asbury Avenue. Over 350 crafters, food vendors, music and more. For more information, call 1-800-BeachNJ.

MAY 4-5 – Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Table Sales: 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue.

MAY 4 – Valerie Vaughn: The Ocean City Arts Center (1735 Simpson Ave.) will present the folk music and songwriting of New Jersey’s Troubadour, Valerie Vaughn at 2 p.m. Vaughn’s evocative songs earned the Ocean County Commission’s Special Award and the Pine Barrens Festival Award for preserving “the culture, heritage, and natural beauty” of the Pinelands. Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made online at oceancityartscenter.org or by calling 609-399-7628.

MAY 11 – Roadster Rally: Roadsters of all makes and models will be on display from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Boardwalk from 6th Street to 14th Street. For more information or to register your Roadster, visit www.theroadsterrally.com or email blinkerfluidproductions@gmail.com.

MAY 19 – OCNJ Triathlon/Duathlon: ¼-mile pool swim, 2M Run/16M Bike/2M Run. Plus a kids course 1/8 mile swim, 1m run/8m bike/1m run. Pool Swim 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Run/Bike/Run starts 9 a.m. www.ocnj.us/race-events.

MAY 24 – Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge: Participants dress in business suits, carry brief cases and march into the ocean to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance to welcome the new season. Noon at 9th Street Beach.

MAY 25 – Memorial Beach Challenge for 31 Heroes: The obstacle course challenge is a soft sand adventure race followed by a kids’ fun run. Staging at 9th Street Beach. For registration information, visit memorialbeachchallenge.com or call 856-905-0583.

MAY 27 – Memorial Day Service: 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, between 5th Street and 6th Street on Wesley Avenue.

MAY 27 – National Moment of Remembrance: Americans, wherever they are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, pause in an act of national unity for a duration of one minute. The moment of remembrance will take place on the Boardwalk.