OCEAN CITY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

OCEAN CITY, N.J.----Ocean City kicks off its Memorial Day Weekend with the traditional turning of a gold key to unlock the ocean and the not so traditional Business Persons March into the waves on Fri., May 25.

The weekend concludes on Mon., May 28 with the solemn Memorial Day service at Veterans Park to honor those “ who have given their lives in the service of our country.” In between, there’s Barks of the Boards, a Humane Society benefit on the boardwalk, a concert on the boardwalk by the world famous Philadelphia Boys Choir and a concert at the Music Pier featuring the popular Smithereens.
 
On Friday (May 25) Mayor Sal Perillo and City lifeguards gather at noon on the 9th Street Beach opposite the Music to officially open the ocean for the 2007 season. A similar ceremony is performed at communities up and down the coast to welcome visitors and greet the summer.

What happens next happens only in Ocean City. It’s called the Business Persons March into the ocean. Enthusiasts gather dressed in business attire, some carrying briefcases. Others are dressed as the products they sell including Saltwater Taffy, French Fries or as real estate signs. Once they are properly psyched, they march into the waves to the stirring strains of Pomp and Circumstance.

On Sat., May 26, the Ocean City Humane Society presents its pet friendly Barks on The Boards Benefit from noon till 2 p.m. This is one of the few times during the year that owners can walk their dogs on the boards. There will be give-aways, free T Shirts for walkers and contests.

Pre-registration is $15 and must be received no later than May 23. Registration is $20 the day of the event. Entry forms are available at the Humane Society, 1 Shelter Rd. off Tennessee Ave., call 609-399-2018 or at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 609-525-9300.

A Flag Raising Ceremony will be held in front of Gillian’s Water Park, Boardwalk and Plymouth Place, 10:30 a.m. on Sat. May 26 featuring a concert by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and an airplane fly-over. The event, “A Salute To American Freedom” is provided free to the City courtesy of the Gillian family.

The Smithereens, a popular and durable rock band formed in 1980 kick-off the City’s Boardwalk Concert series on Sun., May 27 at 8 p.m. in the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Tickets are $25, available at City Hall Annex, 901 Asbury Ave., 609-525-9300.

An alternative rock band, the Smithereens have scored major hits on the pop charts and their music videos have been featured on MTV. Their songs have also been used as themes for movies. The band is heavily booked throughout the country and will be featured at the House of Blues in Atlantic City this summer.