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Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette Logo Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette

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Endless Summer Cruisin’ in full swing this weekend

(Oct. 5, 2017) Check out car shows, celebrities, auctions, vendors and parades during Ocean City’s 20th annual Endless Summer Cruisin’ event.

More than 2,300 hot rods, classics, muscle cars, trick trucks and customs will be driven down Coastal Highway this weekend. Vehicles newer than 1976 must have custom modifications or be of special interest.

Festivities begin today, Thursday, and will continue through Sunday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street and downtown at the inlet parking lot.

Organizers are expecting thousands of spectators throughout the four-day event as visitors travel from more than 17 states and Canada.

“People travel from as far north as Canada and Maine, as far south as Florida and as far west as Minnesota to be at this event,” said Event Promoter Meredith Herbert. “Endless Summer Cruisin’ is a family-friendly event for all ages to enjoy.”

Endless Summer Cruisin’ kicks off with a car parade on the Boardwalk from North Division Street to the inlet Thursday morning. Spectators can also see two more car parades Friday and Saturday at 8 a.m. with the same route.

“It’s nostalgic to watch cars drive along the historic Ocean City Boardwalk as the sun rises over the beach,” Herbert said. “It makes for a great photo opportunity.”

Highlights of the weekend include appearances from television and “Ghostbusters” movie star Ernie Hudson who will be inside the convention center on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the inlet on Sunday for meet and greets from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition, Rick Dale from the hit television show “American Restoration” will be at the inlet to meet fans Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This event is three events in one,” Herbert said. “The main event takes place at the inlet parking lot with the beautiful beach on one side and the historic Boardwalk on the other. The second location is the convention center which features the Hot Rod and Custom Car Show plus Collector Car Auction.”

The 37th annual Hot Rod and Custom Car Show is held in conjunction with Cruisin’ and takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday inside the convention center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The Hot Rod and Custom Car Show will feature some of the hottest show cars, plus spectators can get the rare opportunity to get a photo with the star of “Ghostbusters,” Ernie Hudson, and the Ecto-1 show car [featured in the “Ghostbusters” Tribute display],” Herbert said.

Visitors can also check out a 1967 Camaro street machine, a 1975 AMC full-custom Matador, the 1951 “King of the Beach” Willys Overland and the 1960 Ford “Midnight” Thunderbird during the show.

Attendees can catch live music from Mook Jones on Thursday from noon to 3:30 p.m. and Golden Touch on Friday and Saturday from 12-3:30 p.m.

Play Bingo on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. or check out vendors selling automotive products, jewelry, arts and crafts, clothing, vintage treasures, collectables and other specialty items.

Back this year, Express Auctioneers will be hosting an OC Collector Car Auction inside the convention center on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. Participants can sell their rides, purchase a new one or check out all the fun. The preview begins at 9 a.m. before the live action at 11 a.m. For more information on buying or selling a vehicle, visit occollectorcars.com or call 410-365-2759.

“The Collector Car Auction is fun to watch as the excitement builds while people bid on a car they’ve always wanted,” Herbert said. “Some of the vehicles that will be auctioned off include a 1956 Nash Metropolitan, a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, a 1968 Chevy Camaro, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, a 2001 Renegade Toterhome, a 1969 Chevy Blazer and a 1961 Falcon Surf Wagon.”
In addition, a Memorabilia Auction will also take place on Saturday with items including baseballs signed by Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle and Brooks Robinson, in addition to neon signs and Nascar diecast cars.

The Highwaymen Live, will perform at 8 p.m. on Thursday inside the Ocean City Performing Arts Center on 40th Street. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by visiting the Ocean City box office inside the convention center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call Ticketmaster at 1-800-551-SEAT. For more information, visit oceancityconcerts.com.

“This musical tribute pays homage to Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings,” Herbert said. “Audience members will think they are seeing and hearing the original artists perform hits such as ‘On the Road Again,’ ‘Whiskey River,’ ‘Mommas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,’ ‘Ring of Fire’ and more.”

At the inlet, top national names will be at the Manufacturer’s Midway including Chevrolet Performance, AMSOIL, Advance Auto Parts, Optima Batteries, Sundance Vacations, Automotive Lift Service, Goodmark, Maryland Lottery, Miller Welding and Sylvania Automotive.

“Many of the participants bring their kids and grandkids to enjoy the classic cars from the past,” Herbert said. “Plus, some participants who used to come with their parents as kids now come and bring their own hot rod or muscle car. It’s great to see the love of cars passed on from generation to generation.”

Friday and Saturday admission is $15, and $10 on Thursday and Sunday. A four-day pass costs $35. Children under 14 get in free with an adult, and passes are good at both locations.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the 40th Street convention center and downtown at the inlet, in addition to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the inlet only.

The Grand Finale Car Show and awards ceremony will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday at the inlet.

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.endlesssummercruisin.com.

In conjunction with Cruisin’ Ocean City, the fall Cruisers event in Berlin is slated for Saturday and hundreds of vehicles are expected to line Main Street between Jefferson and West streets.

Activities kick off at 10 a.m. with cars and trucks arriving at 7 a.m. to register. The cost is $10 to participate and the first 50 people to sign up their cars will receive a commemorative dash plaque. There is no fee for spectators.

Many classics are from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s and car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to talk with car owners about their vintage rides. Trophies will be awarded at 2 p.m. in a number of categories.

The Berlin Chamber of Commerce is the annual event sponsor. For more information, email chamberinfo@berlinchamber.org or call 410-641-4775.

The fifth annual Car Show & Parade hosted by the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce will take place Sunday, Oct. 8.

Parade participants will begin at White Horse Park at 10 a.m. and head down Ocean Parkway to the car show taking place at Veterans Memorial Park on the corner of Cathell and Racetrack roads.

The event will include music as well as several food and business vendors.

The car show will start around 11 a.m. and trophies will be awarded at 1 p.m. in the best classic, antique, hot rod, modern, custom and people’s choice categories.

Preregistering online costs $12 or $15 at the show. Registration will take place at White Horse Park at 9 a.m. until the parade starts and at Veterans Memorial Park after the parade. All cars must be registered by noon to participate in the car show.

For more information on registering for the car show, call the Ocean Pines Chamber at 410-641-5306, visit www.OceanPinesChamber.org or email info@OceanPinesChamber.org.