Ocean City Prepares For Fall With Charity Ride, Block Party And Dozens Of Family Events

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City is heading into fall with a full calendar of family events, starting with the MS City to Shore Ride this weekend and continuing through a packed October schedule.

The first day of fall is Tuesday, Sept. 22, and the city previewed a season that includes charity events, merchant promotions, live theater, pet activities and Halloween celebrations.

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Thousands of cyclists are expected in Ocean City this weekend for the MS City to Shore Ride, which the city described as a fall tradition that draws participants from across the nation. The annual bicycle trek will begin in Cherry Hill early on Saturday, Sept. 26, and finish at the parking lot at Fifth Street and Boardwalk in Ocean City. Many riders will stay overnight and return the next day.

The city said riders raise millions of dollars each year for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Motorists should expect delays along a route that travels from the 34th Street causeway to Fifth Street and Boardwalk. Complete ride information is available at bikems.org.

October opens with Boardwalk and Downtown Merchant Discount Days on Oct. 3-4 and again Oct. 10-12 from 6th Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Fire Department will host its annual open house for Fire Prevention Week from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at headquarters, 550 Asbury Ave., with a rain date of Oct. 9.

The city's Fall Block Party returns from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, with hundreds of craft and food vendors and entertainers along Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street. Parking will be free at all municipal lots and metered spaces in the city that day.

On Oct. 11, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of OCNJ walk starts at 10 a.m. at the Civic Center, while the Spooks N' Kooks Costume Surf Contest begins sign-in at 10 a.m. on 7th Street Beach.

Other events later in the month include the Porsche Boardwalk Reunion on Oct. 17, the John R. Elliott HERO Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run on Oct. 18, and Dog Days on Oct. 24-25, when leashed dogs will be allowed on the boardwalk during posted hours. The month also includes the Humane Society of Ocean City Howl-O-Ween Parade, a Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep, a Halloween Costume Skate, the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Welcome Night and the Halloween Parade on Oct. 29.

Ocean City Theatre Company also will present "A Grand Night for Singing" on select dates from Oct. 9 through Oct. 18 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Ticket information is available at oceancitytheatrecompany.com.