Crowds Enjoy Gillian's Anniversary Celebration

For thousands of kids, Thursday was a school night to remember.

Gillian's Wonderland Pier offered one-ticket rides and put on a 9 p.m. fireworks display to celebrate the 84th year of the Gillian family's amusement businesses on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Despite the threat of an approaching coastal storm, a big crowd of families packed the amusement center to take advantage of the steeply discounted rides. And with most students biding time until the close of the school year in about two weeks, the event offered a rare opportunity for a school night out.

The annual event is billed as Wonder Bear's Birthday, and the mascot was on hand to pose for photographs with families.

A light rain held off until after the fireworks display.

See the gallery above for photos and video.