OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City will welcome two featured Boardwalk events this week with the 25th annual Art of Surfing Festival and the first of two public open houses at the 14th Street Fishing Pier. The surf festival opens Thursday, July 30, at the Ocean City Music Pier, while the Ocean City Fishing Club will host its open house from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the pier at 14th Street and the Boardwalk.
The Art of Surfing Festival will include original surf-related artwork, locally shaped boards and opportunities to meet artists from across the region, according to the city announcement. The event also will feature classic surfboards, memorabilia and live music. Admission is free from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1.
The live music lineup includes Going Rogue from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Coastal High from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, LNJ Band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Polaroid Fade from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Head High from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. More information on the show, along with artist and vendor profiles, is available at facebook.com/artofsurfingfestival.
The Ocean City Fishing Club will again open its historic 635-foot-long pier to the public while collecting food and monetary donations for the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard. The pier is usually reserved for club members, but visitors will be able to tour the landmark and are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make a monetary donation.
Last year's first open house drew about 1,750 visitors and brought in 290 pounds of food and $2,433, according to the announcement.
"We're grateful for the incredible generosity shown by our community each year," said Augie Conte III, president of the Ocean City Fishing Club.
The club said members will be on hand to greet visitors, answer questions and share the history of the organization and the pier. The open house is being held in conjunction with Mummers Night on the Boardwalk. A second open house is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, with rain dates of July 31 and Aug. 14 if needed.
The two events are part of a broader week of Ocean City activities that also includes Market Days on Thursday, Family Night on the Boardwalk on Wednesday and several music and family programs through Aug. 3, according to the city schedule.
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