OCEAN CITY – Despite losing Sunday to weather issues, the later, modified Sunfest last weekend was highly successful, and it appears resort officials are already planning on hosting the annual event on the same weekend in late October next year.
Sunfest was created 47 years ago as a means to extend the summer season and it has accomplished that over the years. For over four decades, Sunfest was held on the third weekend of September and provided a crescendo of sorts for the summer season and a steady decline into the fall and winter months.
However, the season has steadily expanded over the years with other major events filling in the fall weekends. Earlier this year, the Mayor and Council discussed the fall special events calendar with multiple significant events stacked up in mid- to late September. Out of those discussions came a recommendation to move Sunfest, a sacred cow of sorts on the September events calendar, back to last weekend, Oct. 20-23, and couple it with the town’s OCtoberfest events and amenities.
The end result was a four-day festival centered in the Inlet parking lot as always, along with numerous other events on the beach and Boardwalk associated with the annual fall OCtoberfest. The decision to move Sunfest back to late October was met with consternation from many traditionalists, but their fears were by and large unfounded as last weekend’s event was highly successful.
Sunfest opened last Thursday morning amid crystal clear skies and warm temperatures for the most part and the crowds began forming early at the various arts and crafts tents, food and drink vendors, the new beer garden added this year and the free live entertainment. The later and modified Sunfest continued to gain momentum throughout the weekend on Friday and Saturday with larger-than-expected crowds.
I sure hope not!
They say it was successful because it’s what they want. It must stay that way because it was “so successful.”
Peeps didnt fill the hotels and restaurants. It was locals from surrounding areas. Ghost town sunday morning.
Guess another chance for the AquaFish concert.
Hmmmmm or maybe Firefly?
the money grabbers are trying to make OC an all year resort
They canceled the last day due to “weather”. The weather was not great on Sunday but no way was it so bad that they couldn’t have allowed the vendors to make back some of the money they spent. I bet they didn’t even refund them for the missed day.
By blocking the inlet parking lot, those kids who wanted to race their pumpkins and dress up for trunk or treat were pushed out of the way all in the name of the almighty dollar. Lots of disappointed families with no place to park – shows you clearly what ocean city’s priorities are.
not with families!