Ocean City Sunfest 2018: Events, When To Avoid Bay Bridge Traffic

OCEAN CITY, MD — Summer officially ends this weekend and nothing sends it out on a bigger blast than Ocean City Sunfest. Here's a look at some of the events planned Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 20-23, and when you have the best chance to avoid traffic jams on the Bay Bridge this weekend. And here's a first look at the weekend weather forecast, which looks pretty terrific Thursday through Saturday.

The festival traditionally features live music acts, including national recording artists. This year look for Forever Tina “The World’s #1 Tina Turner Revue” performing on Thursday, Sept. 20, followed by The Cadillac Three on Friday, Sept. 21, and Daughtry on Saturday, Sept. 22. All shows are at 8 p.m. at the Inlet Lot. Tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster.

Sunfest also features local restaurants and caterers offering fresh seafood, pit beef, BBQ, fried chicken, funnel cakes and other local and regional fair food favorites; vendors selling artisan products, handmade knickknacks, souvenirs, jewelry and more great products; and plenty of games and amusements to keep the kids occupied. Hours are Thursday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Find the full music schedule here.

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Best, Worst Times To Drive To Ocean City

Drivers headed to Ocean City should travel at off-peak times and call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for current traffic conditions, says the Maryland Transportation Authority. Expect higher than normal traffic volumes Thursday, Sept. 20, through Sunday, Sept. 23.

The MDTA will monitor traffic conditions throughout the weekend and, weather permitting, implement two-way operations (when one lane of eastbound traffic travels on the westbound span) on the westbound span to help alleviate potential eastbound delays, the agency says in a news release. Two-way will NOT be implemented in inclement weather.

The best times to travel to and from the Eastern Shore this weekend are:

• Thursday and Friday – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.
• Saturday – before 7 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
• Sunday – before 10 a.m. and after 10 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information follow the agnecy on Twitter at TheMDTA. Find the office on Facebook at facebook.com/TheMDTA. For statewide traffic conditions, visit md511.org.

Parking In OC

Most parking options in town cost $3. You can park for free at the Convention Center south lot and ride the Sunfest Express for $3 all day. The shuttle will depart from the lot every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. until 30 minutes after the end of the last concert Thursday – Saturday, and from 9 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, says the Sunfest website.

You can ride the boardwalk tram for $3 per person one-way, 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday, and from 10 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

You can also park for free at Northside Park on 125th street and the Municipal Lot at 100th street, and ride the bus to the Sunfest grounds for $3.

In West Ocean City, you can park your car for free at the Park & Ride and take the shuttle for $3 all day.

Weekend weather forecast for Ocean City:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northeast wind around 14 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind 9 to 13 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Northeast wind 10 to 14 mph.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 9 to 11 mph becoming southeast after midnight.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 79. South wind 8 to 13 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

File photo courtesy of Ocean City, Maryland