(Sept. 22, 2016) One of Ocean City’s favorite events kicks off today, Thursday, with area residents and visitors saying goodbye to summer and welcoming in fall with four days of arts and crafts, live musical entertainment, food and family activities during the 42nd annual Sunfest celebration.
The festival takes place in the inlet parking lot under large tents with 300 vendors and food booths filled with treasures and tasty treats all weekend long, Sept. 22-25.
Sunfest drew more than 200,000 visitors to the downtown Ocean City area last year and about the same attendance is expected this weekend.
“We are really happy when attendance numbers surpass 200,000 people,” said Frank Miller, special events director for the Town of Ocean City. “It has been around 42 years and has proven itself. Sunfest has always been the keystone event for Ocean City’s summer season.”
The festival starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with a parade down the Boardwalk from 13th Street to the inlet featuring Stephen Decatur High School’s marching band, cheerleaders and choir. At the conclusion of the parade, Sunfest will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It is a fun event for people of all ages – families with children, grandchildren or just a couple enjoying a date night,” said Jessica Waters, communications manager for the Town of Ocean City. “No matter what time of day you can make it, there is always something fun going on. The event is one-of-a-kind and something that everyone should try at least once.”
Live musical acts from classic rock to bluegrass will entertain guests all weekend, including a special performance by Kick It Out “A Tribute to Heart” to close out Sunfest at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.
“There is a great mix of entertainers during four days of live music,” Miller said. “We bring in local bands and others from out of state. It is an opportunity to listen to bands they have never heard or they want to start following.”
Three ticketed performances start at 8 p.m. each night.
Chubby Checker and the Wildcats will perform Thursday night. Tickets cost $20-$30. On Friday, country music fans will flock to the inlet stage to catch newcomer Chris Janson perform. Tickets cost $25-$49. On Saturday, rock ‘n’ rollers Eddie Money along with Sir Rod take the Sunfest stage. Ticket prices range from $30-$60.
“We start out with the ‘60s, go to modern country and slide back to the ‘80s with Eddie Money,” Miller said. “Forty-two years of great music, food and arts and crafts to peruse and buy.”
Tickets for the headlining acts are on sale at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center box office on 40th Street. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Guests can purchase tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 800-551-7328 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the festival grounds until they are sold out.
In addition to live music, hundreds of local, regional, commercial and national vendors will be at Sunfest selling a smorgasbord of items from jewelry and paintings to ceramics and crab dishes. There will be 182 arts and crafts booths set up.
“Sunfest combines three things that almost everyone loves – great food, outstanding entertainment and the ability to shop unique arts and crafts while taking in the smells and sounds of the ocean,” Waters said.
“No matter how many times you have visited Sunfest, there is always something new to see. Whether it’s a new vender, a new band or a new Eastern Shore treat to try,” she continued. “The event feels different then the year before, but also maintains the traditional feeling that people love about the festival.”
Guests can watch 10 artists create wares in the demonstration tent and purchase them on the spot.
For children, there will be hayrides on the beach, inflatables, a magician strolling the grounds from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, and Lollipop the Clown will make her rounds on Sunday during the same time.
“Sunfest is grounded in a lot of great Ocean City family traditions,” Miller said. “We were named the No. 1 arts and crafts festival in the United States again by Sunshine Artist Magazine, which is based on vendor’s sales numbers and feedback.”
Also this weekend, Park Place Jewelers will host its seventh annual Sunfest Treasure Hunt on the beach Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. For a $15 donation to the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House by the Sea, the first 100 to sign up each day get the chance to dig in the sand for prizes from gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers, diamonds, gemstones and additional jewelry.
Register for the treasure hunt at either of Park Place’s locations, on the Boardwalk at Second Street or in the White Marlin Mall on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Treasure hunters should meet in front of the Boardwalk store 30 minutes before the dig for a briefing on the rules. Participants can wear gloves, but may not use shovels and buckets. The hunt takes place rain or shine.
Sunfest hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.
“It’s in a great location,” Miller said. “You can’t beat an event that is held between the Boardwalk and beach.”
Because parking is limited, visitors should consider taking the resort bus to the festival grounds.
For more information on bus fares, call Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606.
Visit http://ococean.com/sunfest for the full schedule of Sunfest entertainment or call 800-626-2326 for more information.
The festival takes place in the inlet parking lot under large tents with 300 vendors and food booths filled with treasures and tasty treats all weekend long, Sept. 22-25.
Sunfest drew more than 200,000 visitors to the downtown Ocean City area last year and about the same attendance is expected this weekend.
“We are really happy when attendance numbers surpass 200,000 people,” said Frank Miller, special events director for the Town of Ocean City. “It has been around 42 years and has proven itself. Sunfest has always been the keystone event for Ocean City’s summer season.”
The festival starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with a parade down the Boardwalk from 13th Street to the inlet featuring Stephen Decatur High School’s marching band, cheerleaders and choir. At the conclusion of the parade, Sunfest will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“It is a fun event for people of all ages – families with children, grandchildren or just a couple enjoying a date night,” said Jessica Waters, communications manager for the Town of Ocean City. “No matter what time of day you can make it, there is always something fun going on. The event is one-of-a-kind and something that everyone should try at least once.”
Live musical acts from classic rock to bluegrass will entertain guests all weekend, including a special performance by Kick It Out “A Tribute to Heart” to close out Sunfest at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.
“There is a great mix of entertainers during four days of live music,” Miller said. “We bring in local bands and others from out of state. It is an opportunity to listen to bands they have never heard or they want to start following.”
Three ticketed performances start at 8 p.m. each night.
Chubby Checker and the Wildcats will perform Thursday night. Tickets cost $20-$30. On Friday, country music fans will flock to the inlet stage to catch newcomer Chris Janson perform. Tickets cost $25-$49. On Saturday, rock ‘n’ rollers Eddie Money along with Sir Rod take the Sunfest stage. Ticket prices range from $30-$60.
“We start out with the ‘60s, go to modern country and slide back to the ‘80s with Eddie Money,” Miller said. “Forty-two years of great music, food and arts and crafts to peruse and buy.”
Tickets for the headlining acts are on sale at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center box office on 40th Street. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Guests can purchase tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 800-551-7328 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the festival grounds until they are sold out.
In addition to live music, hundreds of local, regional, commercial and national vendors will be at Sunfest selling a smorgasbord of items from jewelry and paintings to ceramics and crab dishes. There will be 182 arts and crafts booths set up.
“Sunfest combines three things that almost everyone loves – great food, outstanding entertainment and the ability to shop unique arts and crafts while taking in the smells and sounds of the ocean,” Waters said.
“No matter how many times you have visited Sunfest, there is always something new to see. Whether it’s a new vender, a new band or a new Eastern Shore treat to try,” she continued. “The event feels different then the year before, but also maintains the traditional feeling that people love about the festival.”
Guests can watch 10 artists create wares in the demonstration tent and purchase them on the spot.
For children, there will be hayrides on the beach, inflatables, a magician strolling the grounds from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, and Lollipop the Clown will make her rounds on Sunday during the same time.
“Sunfest is grounded in a lot of great Ocean City family traditions,” Miller said. “We were named the No. 1 arts and crafts festival in the United States again by Sunshine Artist Magazine, which is based on vendor’s sales numbers and feedback.”
Also this weekend, Park Place Jewelers will host its seventh annual Sunfest Treasure Hunt on the beach Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. For a $15 donation to the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s House by the Sea, the first 100 to sign up each day get the chance to dig in the sand for prizes from gift certificates to local restaurants and retailers, diamonds, gemstones and additional jewelry.
Register for the treasure hunt at either of Park Place’s locations, on the Boardwalk at Second Street or in the White Marlin Mall on Route 50 in West Ocean City. Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Treasure hunters should meet in front of the Boardwalk store 30 minutes before the dig for a briefing on the rules. Participants can wear gloves, but may not use shovels and buckets. The hunt takes place rain or shine.
Sunfest hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 22-24, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25.
“It’s in a great location,” Miller said. “You can’t beat an event that is held between the Boardwalk and beach.”
Because parking is limited, visitors should consider taking the resort bus to the festival grounds.
For more information on bus fares, call Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606.
Visit http://ococean.com/sunfest for the full schedule of Sunfest entertainment or call 800-626-2326 for more information.