BERLIN– One of the town’s newest events is gearing up to be one of its biggest.
Mayday Playday is being rebranded as the Ocean 98 Mayday Playday Music Festival and 5k. Formerly held on a Friday, the downtown Berlin event moves to Saturday, May 10, this year and features an expanded lineup of 14 bands from across the country on two stages.
Melissa Alesi will kick off the festival at 11:40 a.m., followed by Shawn Owen at 12:20 p .m., Ginger, feat. Nancy Micciulla at 1 p.m., Little Bird at 1:40 p.m., Bumpin Uglies at 2:20 p.m., Rob Drabkin at 3 p.m., The Phantom Limbs at 3:40 p.m., Brixton Saint at 4:20 p.m., Willamena at 5 p.m., 28 North at 5:40 p.m., Funk-O-Licious at 6:20 p.m., Eastern Electric Co. at 7 p.m., The Last Year at 7:40 p.m. and McClinton at 8:20 p.m.
“This is really a whole new experience,” said Michael Day, Berlin’s Economic and Community Development director. “It is the longest event and we think it’s going to be pretty big because of the amount of music. I think it’s going to rival anything we’ve ever done.”
Ocean 98 WOCM, who will host the event, approached the town with the idea to move the festival, believing the Saturday slot would help attract more national acts. The switch seems to have paid off, as larger acts like 28 North, The Last Year, Willamena, Rob Drabkin and McClinton will play the festival for the first time.
“28 North is a Pittsburgh-based band that moved out to L.A.,” said organizer Brendan Kashuba, also known as Ocean98’s DJ BK. “They broke off from Sony records and they’re doing it themselves as independent artists. They just did a couple of tour dates with ZZ Top, and they’ll probably be my favorite act – they’re the ones I’m probably looking forward to the most.”
Three Ocean City-based bands, The Phantom Limbs, Funk-O-Licious and Eastern Electric Co., will also perform.
“None of our bands are slouches – there’s definitely no weak link,” Kashuba said. “When we started putting this event together in December we were looking to make it a little bit bigger with some national touring acts. I look for the band that is going to bring the total package to the event – I look for the band that is not just talented onstage, but has the right attitude and is enthusiastic about the exposure they’re going to get.”
Kashuba said the radio station’s clout helped organizers attract bigger bands than the town had seen in prior years.
“Our radio station – just like a station in a big market – actually does sell records,” he said. “What we do counts – it means something – and these bands recognize that. That’s why you’re seeing national acts that you would have to pay to go see somewhere else; you’re going to be able to see them for free and you’re going to be able to bring the kids and it’s going to be a great day.”
Mayday Playday also includes a 5k this year.
“With an event like this going all day, it takes a party to make a party,” Kashuba said. “My thought behind the 5k was trying to come up with an idea that would instantly put a couple hundred people in the streets so that the bands that perform earlier in the day don’t feel slighted – so that we do have a party. When that first band takes the stage we’re hoping for at least one or two hundred runners, and when they come out there they’re not going to come alone – they’re going to bring a friend or a family member or someone to cheer them on and support them. So instantly the doors open for the event, the first band goes on stage and there’s a couple hundred people there to enjoy it.”
The 5k race runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration for the 5k can be completed at www.octrirunning.com/ocean-city-md-running-event/may-day-play-day-5k.
The Berlin Chamber of Commerce will host a beer garden with proceeds benefiting the chamber. The Casino at Ocean Downs will provide games and giveaways and the Salisbury Roller Girls will offer demonstrations and take pictures with children. Face painting and a dunking booth will benefit the Worcester County Humane Society.
“The dunking booth is our new staff initiation,” Kashuba said with a laugh.
The Ocean98 Mayday Playday Music Festival and 5k is free and open to the public. The festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“I want people to experience the town and the opportunities which it presents,” Kashuba said. “The downtown historic district is nothing shy of spectacular and this event is another chance for them to prove that. I want them to take away a family, fun friendly music experience.”
“This is the crowd that we think is our future,” Day added. “This is the crowd that we see returning for years and years to shop and enjoy the town. It’s a good time in Berlin and we want everyone to have a good experience.”
For more information visit www.ocean98.com/mayday-playday-music-festival-5k.
Mayday Playday is being rebranded as the Ocean 98 Mayday Playday Music Festival and 5k. Formerly held on a Friday, the downtown Berlin event moves to Saturday, May 10, this year and features an expanded lineup of 14 bands from across the country on two stages.
Melissa Alesi will kick off the festival at 11:40 a.m., followed by Shawn Owen at 12:20 p .m., Ginger, feat. Nancy Micciulla at 1 p.m., Little Bird at 1:40 p.m., Bumpin Uglies at 2:20 p.m., Rob Drabkin at 3 p.m., The Phantom Limbs at 3:40 p.m., Brixton Saint at 4:20 p.m., Willamena at 5 p.m., 28 North at 5:40 p.m., Funk-O-Licious at 6:20 p.m., Eastern Electric Co. at 7 p.m., The Last Year at 7:40 p.m. and McClinton at 8:20 p.m.
“This is really a whole new experience,” said Michael Day, Berlin’s Economic and Community Development director. “It is the longest event and we think it’s going to be pretty big because of the amount of music. I think it’s going to rival anything we’ve ever done.”
Ocean 98 WOCM, who will host the event, approached the town with the idea to move the festival, believing the Saturday slot would help attract more national acts. The switch seems to have paid off, as larger acts like 28 North, The Last Year, Willamena, Rob Drabkin and McClinton will play the festival for the first time.
“28 North is a Pittsburgh-based band that moved out to L.A.,” said organizer Brendan Kashuba, also known as Ocean98’s DJ BK. “They broke off from Sony records and they’re doing it themselves as independent artists. They just did a couple of tour dates with ZZ Top, and they’ll probably be my favorite act – they’re the ones I’m probably looking forward to the most.”
Three Ocean City-based bands, The Phantom Limbs, Funk-O-Licious and Eastern Electric Co., will also perform.
“None of our bands are slouches – there’s definitely no weak link,” Kashuba said. “When we started putting this event together in December we were looking to make it a little bit bigger with some national touring acts. I look for the band that is going to bring the total package to the event – I look for the band that is not just talented onstage, but has the right attitude and is enthusiastic about the exposure they’re going to get.”
Kashuba said the radio station’s clout helped organizers attract bigger bands than the town had seen in prior years.
“Our radio station – just like a station in a big market – actually does sell records,” he said. “What we do counts – it means something – and these bands recognize that. That’s why you’re seeing national acts that you would have to pay to go see somewhere else; you’re going to be able to see them for free and you’re going to be able to bring the kids and it’s going to be a great day.”
Mayday Playday also includes a 5k this year.
“With an event like this going all day, it takes a party to make a party,” Kashuba said. “My thought behind the 5k was trying to come up with an idea that would instantly put a couple hundred people in the streets so that the bands that perform earlier in the day don’t feel slighted – so that we do have a party. When that first band takes the stage we’re hoping for at least one or two hundred runners, and when they come out there they’re not going to come alone – they’re going to bring a friend or a family member or someone to cheer them on and support them. So instantly the doors open for the event, the first band goes on stage and there’s a couple hundred people there to enjoy it.”
The 5k race runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration for the 5k can be completed at www.octrirunning.com/ocean-city-md-running-event/may-day-play-day-5k.
The Berlin Chamber of Commerce will host a beer garden with proceeds benefiting the chamber. The Casino at Ocean Downs will provide games and giveaways and the Salisbury Roller Girls will offer demonstrations and take pictures with children. Face painting and a dunking booth will benefit the Worcester County Humane Society.
“The dunking booth is our new staff initiation,” Kashuba said with a laugh.
The Ocean98 Mayday Playday Music Festival and 5k is free and open to the public. The festival runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“I want people to experience the town and the opportunities which it presents,” Kashuba said. “The downtown historic district is nothing shy of spectacular and this event is another chance for them to prove that. I want them to take away a family, fun friendly music experience.”
“This is the crowd that we think is our future,” Day added. “This is the crowd that we see returning for years and years to shop and enjoy the town. It’s a good time in Berlin and we want everyone to have a good experience.”
For more information visit www.ocean98.com/mayday-playday-music-festival-5k.