Volunteers Needed For Ocean City's 'First Night'

OCEAN CITY, NJ — It may not even be Halloween yet, but it's not too early to start thinking about 2024. Ocean City is seeking volunteers for its annual family-friendly "First Night" celebration.

Volunteers are asked to work at least one three-hour shift on Dec. 31. Anybody interested in helping is asked to visit firstnightocnj.com for more information and to complete this online form.

If you are interested, please complete the volunteer form by Dec. 8, 2023. There will be a mandatory volunteer breakfast, where assignments will be given out at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at the Ocean City Yacht Club.

All-inclusive admission buttons are already on sale:

• Online: firstnightocnj.com
• By phone: 609-399-6111.
• At the City Hall Welcome Center at 861 Asbury Avenue (9th Street entrance): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
• At the Roy Gillian Welcome Center (9th Street causeway): 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• At the 46th Street Welcome Center (4500 block of West Avenue): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed on Tuesdays

First Night offers more than 70 entertain programs at 20 different venues throughout town on Dec. 31. One $15 button is good for all programs. The price increases to $20 on Dec. 1.

Headline entertainment at the Ocean City Music Pier this year will include “GYPSY,” a tribute to the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac; and “Motor City,” a revue of Motown’s greatest hits. The return of perennial favorites like outdoor ice-skating (with extended hours this year), rides at Wonderland Pier, magic shows, the Harlem Wizards and a variety of musical performances also highlight the entertainment lineup. The Ocean City Pops will perform with a returning favorite – the Chicago tribute band Brass Transit. In their first-ever First Night appearance, the Atlantic City Ballet will perform a holiday show.

First Night’s 2024 sponsors include the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Cape May County Division of Culture and Heritage, McMahon Insurance Agency, Ocean City Free Public Library, Wonderland Pier and Atlantic City Electric.