Star Spangled Salute to Kick Off Ocean City Independence Day Celebration

Downtown Ocean City will kick-start the Fourth of July Weekend with a Star Spangled Salute at the Mark Soifer Park, 9th and Asbury Avenue on July 4 at noon.

Michael Hartman’s Greater Ocean City Theatre Company will perform an energetic revue of patriotic songs, Ocean City Public Relations Director Mark Soifer said.

The final event of the day will be a musical fireworks display fired from a barge at sea off the Boardwalk at 10 p.m. There will be two bike parades, each starting at 10 a.m.

The South Ocean City Parade begins at 40th and Central Ave. and goes south to the 52nd St. Playground. To participate register starting 9 a.m. at 40th and Asbury Avenue parking lot. The Gardens Civic Association Parade travels through the Gardens with registration 9 a.m. at the Longport Bridge Parking Lot. Entry in both parades is free.

The annual July 4 Kite Festival competition: Registration is free starting at 6 p.m. with 7:30 p.m. Awards for Kite Categories and Age Divisions. There will be an 8 p.m. yo-yo demonstration and contest and an 8:30 p.m. hula hoop contest. All events are free and held between the Music Pier and 10th Street on the Beach. They are sponsored by Air Circus.

The Tidal Wave Band will play in front of the Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace, one hour prior to the fireworks and one hour afterwards.

For information on July 4th events, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ, 609-399-6111 or visit www.oceancityvacation.com.