OCEAN CITY – As the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia move up the coast, officials this week resumed setup for the highly anticipated Oceans Calling Festival.
The Oceans Calling Festival, a three-day music festival featuring several nationally known acts, is set to begin this Friday off the Ocean City Boardwalk. With attendance expected to reach 50,000 each day, officials say the sell-out event will be the largest of its kind in Ocean City.
“The city has told us that it is the largest ‘ticketed’ event that they have had come through Ocean City,” said Tim Sweetwood of C3 Presents, the festival promoter. “We are proud to be working with them and delivering something new and great that will hopefully, again, last for many years.”
Last year, officials were forced to cancel the inaugural Oceans Calling Festival as the remnants of Hurricane Ian swept through the resort. But Sweetwood said the year delay gave the promoter and the city extra time to not only perfect its safety and traffic plans but expand the festival footprint. This year, the Ocean City Boardwalk will be within the festival grounds, offering festival-goers access to food shops, clothing stores, arcades, amusement park rides and more.
“The additional year gave us more time to prepare and welcome guests to town and to the festival,” Sweetwood said. “We have spent a lot of extra time in areas of safety, traffic plans, site enhancements, etc.”
The extra year also built upon the anticipation of last year’s festival, Sweetwood said. He noted that 2023 Oceans Calling tickets were sold out after a few short months of promotion.
“We have ticket buyers coming from every state, as well as some international buyers,” he said.
Ocean City Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo said the festival is sure to be a boon for the resort. He estimates the event will generate $60 million in economic impact throughout the weekend.
“This is a huge opportunity to showcase Ocean City as a great venue for any kind of event, and from an economic standpoint it checks all the boxes – heads in beds and people in restaurant seats …,” he said. “We are excited for the national attention and to welcome new visitors to Ocean City.”
It’s nice to see such prominent headliners, and I know it brings in money to fund the essential operations and whatnot, but just when will we see our lovely visitors leave? I mean, am I the only one that wold like a little break?
If the weather is nice, those who haven’t been here before might come back and bring friends.
11:08……………That’s what I’m afraid of!
RAIN..
RAINING
NO REFUNDS
PER RICKY
50,000 Knuckle Heads & Riff Raff !!!!!