April 23rd, 2012

What’s Going On? Ocean City, Maryland, Activities, Events, The Heart of the Town? The Ocean!!

I think visitors that travel to Ocean City, Maryland go to this seaside resort for its beaches.  The main attraction is the wide beaches, but Ocean City has such an interesting past.  In the old days, when nothing was developed, Ocean City’s visitors came just to enjoy the beach, fish and to collect shells.

The first ocean front inn was built in 1869.  After that, the town was surveyed and 250 beachfront lots were developed.  The corporation that was formed to develop the land sold 4,000 shares of stock at $25 each.  “Ocean City, at this time, was known as the “ladies resort to the ocean”.

You can read a brief history of OC by visiting http://www.oceancity.com/content/blog/brief-history-ocean-city-maryland.

Ocean City is know for its famous Boardwalk that stretches for many blocks; and its status as the White Marlin Capital of the World.

If you are visiting Ocean City, Maryland, here what’s going on:

Thursday, 4/26 – Saturday, 4/28 – A Feeble Mind by up-and-coming Boston playwright, Mark Mazzenga is being presented by Brown Box Theatre Project and directed by Ocean City’s own, Kyler Taustin.

A Feeble Mind is a tense, voyeuristic look at the struggling marriage between a 50’s era eugenics proponent and his virtuous young wife.  Today, the United States eugenics movement is still at the forefront of the news, as seen recently in CNN’s story of the legal action being taken by victims of sterilization in California.  Mazzenga’s play sheds new light on the issue through his examination of hypocrisy, morality, and affection.

The Captain’s Table Restaurant in Ocean City, will host Brown Box’s production.  Tickets can be purchased online through www.brownboxtheatre.org.

Please call The Captain’s Table regarding the menu for the evening at 410-289-7191.  Location? 2 15th St., Ocean City, MD 21842

Thursday, 4/26 – Sunday, 4/29 – The 2nd Annual Bikes to the Beach Spring Rally – Hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants will be participating in this Spring Rally.  There will be bike builders, entertainment, vending and plenty more.  For more info., please visit www.bikestothebeach.com.  The event will take place at 12913 Ocean Gateway.  Tel. 407-721-9110.

Friday, 4/27 – Sunday, 4/29 – The 42nd Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival, 4001 Coastal Highway.  Tel. 410-742-4988, Ext. 114.  Website? http://www.wardmuseum.org. Or, e-mail wardevents@salisbury.edu.

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, and Salisbury University host the 42nd Annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.  View world class bird carvings and sculptures, bid on art at the benefit auction at 3 p.m. on Saturday, shop at over 100 exhibitor booths, and enjoy the many activities for kids at the Kids Corner.

This is the most prestigious competition of contemporary wildfowl art.  Admission: Multi-day pass $18, One Day Adult is $10, Students One Day is $8, Children 12 and under Free.  Hours:  Friday 10 to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 to 4 p.m.

New for this year will be raptor demonstrations by Brian Bradley of Skyhunters in Flight and a showcase of works by Society for Animal Artists.

Friday, 4/27 – Sunday 4/29 – Maryland International Kite Expo 2012, at Boardwalk 1st Street to 6th Street – Tel. Jay Knerr at 410-289-7855.  Website? http://www.kiteloft.com.  This is a great spectator and participant event.  The 3 day event will feature fun filled days of kite flying on the beautiful beaches of Ocean City, Maryland.  Exhibitions, competitions, stunts and power kite lessons.  Free children’s games and activities.

The festival will showcase some of the best kite flyers from around the world.  Kites of all shapes and sizes will be on display including some massive character and theme based kites.  It is free to the public….”Go Fly a Kite”.

Saturday, 4/28 – Board Walkin’ for Pets – The Worcester County Humane Society Annual Fun Event is a Walk-a-Thon on the boards!!  All proceeds benefit the Ocean City area’s no-kill pet shelter.  Bring your pet for a fun day on the Boards to help the animals or adopt a shelter dog for the day by making arrangments prior to the walk-a-thon.  There is a registration fee.  9 a.m. to Noon, rain or shine.  Please call 410-213-0146.  Location?  Inlet at the South End.  Website?  http://www.boardwalkinforpets.com.

Saturday, 4/28 – Ocean City MD Half Marathon/5K Event – Race starts at 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot.  Registration Fee for participants.  Please call Chris Klebe at 443-493-4324 or visit www.octrirunning.com.  You may also e-mail info@octrirunning.com.

SAVE THE DATE:  Springfest, in Ocean City, Maryland, will be celebrating its 22 year!! It takes place at the Inlet Parking Lot.  May 3rd until May 6th.  Website?  http://oceancitymd.gov/recreation_and_Parks/specialevents.html.    Springfest 2012 celebrates spring and the upcoming summer season.  Live Entertainment, arts, crafts, and, of course, plenty of food!!

Have a great day!! Talk to you later…

April 20th, 2010

Ocean City, Maryland, Event, Ward World Championship, Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival 4/23/10-4/25/10

If there is an event that really sets Spring in our beaches is the Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival.   This is the 40th anniversary for this premier wildfowl carving competition for the most prestigious awards in wildfowl art.

Visitors from all over the world will enjoy the judging, auctions, seminars and demonstrations.  Children activities are included.  There will be about 100 exhibitor booths and supplies for this art craft. 

The venue will be the Ocean City Convention Center located on 4001 Coastal Hwy. in Ocean City, Maryland.  Tel. 410-742-4988.  Friday 10 to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 to 4 p.m.  There will be an admission fee.

The carved bird decoy is the only truly American folk art.  Decoys have been an aid to hunters and were devised by the American Indian.  They are floating lures that ride at anchor.  The shorebird was called a “stickup” because they were mounted on sticks and set in the ground at the shore.

Of all the folk arts none is more strikingly American than the decoy.  It is definitely, indigineous to this country, popular in use and  created out of native woods.

Europe learned about decoys from America.

Two of our Eastern Shore most renowned carvers of their times were the Ward Brothers, Stephen and Lemuel of Chrisfield, Maryland.  They created waterfowl decoys and decorative bird carvings that established and maintained a unique standard of realism and artistic impression.

The Ward Brothers made hunting decoys until about the 1950’s.  Then the introduction of plastics surfaced and they switched to the production of miniature and life-sized decorative birds.

The Ward Museum is located at 909 South Schumaker Drive, Salisbury, Maryland, 21804.  Tel 410-742-4988.  Website is www.wardmuseum.org.   This museum is dedicated to exibiting, collecting and promoting wildfowl art, and interpreting their significance through educational programs and publications.  They preserve the legacy of the Ward Brothers.

Please check their website because they hold events and exhibits year-round.

When my kids were young, they had a teacher that instilled in them the love for birds.  Her name was Mrs. Bunting.  My kids and anyone that was fortunate to be in her class would walk around with a bird book.  I have pictures of going to the Ward Museum to enjoy everything they offered.  I even have a picture of my oldest son holding a real Screech Owl; I don’t think he would want the picture published; sorry, I will leave it in the album.

Talk to you later….Have a good one!!  It is gorgeous outside.

Note:  Information for this post was taken from www.laureldabbs.com.