By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(May 17, 2019) The 29th annual Cruisin’ Ocean City event rolled into the resort on Thursday and will continue until Sunday.

This nationally-recognized show attracts more than 3,000 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and other vehicles from over 20 states, and Canada.

“It’s just become a tradition,” Event Promoter Meredith Herbert said. “We hear so many families say that they come year after year.”

While the main events take place at the inlet parking lot and the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street, there will be various citywide locations as well as events at the US 13 Dragway in Delmar, Delaware.

Scheduled to appear at this year’s Cruisin’ is Catherine Bach, best known for her role as Daisy Duke from the “Dukes of Hazzard.”

“We’re excited to have her and she’s excited to celebrate the 40th anniversary [of the show],” Herbert said. “It’s one of those shows where grandparents can watch with their grandkids and now the grandkids are growing up and showing it to their kids.”

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Dukes of Hazzard” with Bach and the General Lee show car. Bach will be at the convention center Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the inlet on Saturday during the same time.

Also scheduled to appear, from the hit show “Counting Cars,” is Ryan Evans. Evans will be at the inlet on Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and inside the convention center on Saturday at the same time.

Additional entertainment includes live music provided by Mook Jones and Ben Fuller, BINGO, Seaside Jimmy, Cruisin Gold Deejay, the fifth annual Pin Up Contest, and a neon and LED light car show.

Taking the stage of the Ocean City Performing Arts Center on 40th Street will be Grammy Award winner and country music legend, Joe Diffie, Thursday, May 16 at 8 p.m.

Diffie’s greatest hits including “Home,” “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock from the Sun” and “John Deere Green.” Opening for Diffie will be Maryland native and viral sensation, Jackson Dean, winner of the Maryland Music Award for Best Songwriter and Best New Breakout Artist. Dean recently gained recognition for his rendition of the National Anthem.

All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-551-SEAT or online at DelmarvaConcerts.com. Tickets cost $37.50.

The US 13 Dragway, in Delmar, Delaware, is an additional location for activities this year. Events will take place Friday and Saturday and include Jet Dragsters, No Prep racing, burnout contests, test and tunes and car shows.

For more information, visit TakinittotheStrip.com or call 302-846-3911. Gates at the US 13 Dragway open at 4 p.m.

Another new event for Cruisin’ 2019 will be the Cruisin’ Car Corral, held Friday, inside the convention center, where show cars that are for sale will be on display. For more information, call 410-871-8381 or email info@cruisinclassicauctions.com.

Some of the country’s top national names will be showcasing their products in manufacturers midway at the inlet parking lot including Advance Auto Parts, Advantage Lifts, AMSOIL, Barrett-Jackson, Classic Auto Mall, COMP Performance, Covercraft Car Covers, CVF Racing, Detroit Speed, Flaming River, GEICO, Grundy Insurance, Krietz Auto, McQueen Classics, Miller Electric, Mothers Polish, Pinnacle Concrete, QA1, Ride Tech, Ron Francis Wiring, Summit Racing, Sundance Vacations, TREMEC, Truck’n America and Wissel & Walsh.

“Inside the convention center you’ll find your automotive parts,” Herbert said. “But you also see some craft and jewelry vendors. It’s a little bit of everything.”

At the convention center there will be Pioneer Pole Buildings and Treasured Motorcar Services as well vendors both inside and outside selling automotive merchandise along with arts and crafts, jewelry and T-shirts.

There will also be a Swap Meet, Friday and Saturday inside the convention center. Additional vendors will be at the US 13 Dragway location.

Inside the convention center check out the Artwork Contender Showcase where select cars will compete to be on the artwork for the 30th anniversary Cruisin’ 2020. Spectators can vote for their favorite vehicle.

On display inside the convention center will be the General Lee Show Car and the wild custom ’73 Buick Riviera featured on the hit show “Counting Cars.” Both vehicles will be on display Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional Cruisin’ Ocean City highlights are the special Boardwalk parades that will take place Friday and Saturday mornings. Cars will cruise south from 26th Street along the Boardwalk and into the inlet parking lot starting at 8 a.m.

“It’s just neat to see it continue and to see it be that family friendly event that kicks off this summer,” Herbert said.

On Sunday, the Grand Finale Awards will take place at the inlet at 2 p.m. Before Cruisin’ comes to an end there will be more than 500 trophies, plaques and awards presented, plus over 3,000 giveaways.

Spectator tickets cost $10 a day on Sunday and $15 a day for Friday and Saturday, good at the inlet and convention center. Children under 14 get in free with an adult.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday at both the inlet and convention center and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the inlet location only with the Grand Finale Awards starting at 2 p.m. on the stage.

For additional information, visit www.cruisinoceancity.com or call 410-798-6304.

Cruisin OC and US 13 Dragway have teamed up for Takin’ It to the Strip, May 17 and 18 at the U.S. 13 Dragway.

This event will feature a “No Prep Shootout” on Friday, “King of the Strip” Showdown on Saturday, plus burnout contests, Jet Dragsters from Larsen’s Motorsports, vendors and car shows both nights. Friday night meet Evans and Saturday night see Bach.

Events are open to vehicles of all years and makes. Gates open at 4 p.m. each day.

Spectator tickets cost $20 and will be sold at the US 13 Dragway. Children under 14 get in free with an adult.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit takinittothestrip.com or call 302-846-3911.

Another evening event added to Cruisin’ is a Party Under the Stars, Friday night at the Ocean Downs Casino. Golden Touch will take the stage from 7-10 p.m. playing 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. The fifth annual Pin-Up Pageant will take place at 8 p.m.

Saturday night check out the Trimper Amusement’s Family Fun Night on the Boardwalk from 8-10 p.m. There will be a deejay, select rides will be open, a neon and LED car show, plus giveaways.

Boy Scout Troop 261 will be at the Family Fun Night for the “Dollar Makes a Difference Car Show” where attendees can vote for their favorite vehicle with all donations going to the organization.

For more information, visit www.cruisinoceancity.com.

Also, stop by Berlin’s Spring Cruisers event, which will take place on Main Street between Jefferson and West streets, Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration runs from 7-10 a.m. with a cost of $10 per vehicle, payable to the Berlin Chamber of Commerce.

The event is a smaller version of OC Cruisin’ with dozens of classic cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s parked along the street in downtown Berlin. Judges will score the different vehicles in a number of categories and trophies will be handed out at 2 p.m. to the winners.

No pre-registration is required. The first 50 registrants will receive a commemorative dash plaque. There is no fee for spectators. For more information, call the Chamber at 410-641-4775.

Finally, check out the car show taking place at the Ocean City Outlets in West Ocean City, Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Car owners can show off their hot rods and earn trophies and plaques in the process. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and costs $10 per vehicle. The money raised through the registration will be given to a local charity.

For more information, call 410-213-7898.