Ocean City's ‘Earlier Than The Bird’ Celebration Set For Saturday

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The holiday season in Ocean City kicks off on Saturday along downtown Asbury Avenue. The annual downtown shopping extravaganza invites people to shop in their pajamas for the "Earlier Than the Bird" celebration.

Anyone - pajama-clad or not - can take advantage of early-bird shopping specials at stores on Asbury Avenue between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 8 a.m. to noon.

Free turkeys will be awarded to the best-dressed, and shoppers can text in to win gift certificates and prizes from downtown merchants.

Free coffee will be available at Jon & Patty’s (637 Asbury Avenue) and Ocean City Coffee Company (917 Asbury Avenue). Shoppers also can enjoy a free standard doughnut at Drip ’N’ Scoop (960 Asbury Avenue).

Starting Saturday and Sunday, free horse-and-carriage rides will be available where people can ride downtown the old-fashioned way from noon to 3 p.m. both days at the Boardwalk at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue.

Also on Saturday at 9 a.m., the City Hall Welcome Center will begin selling seasonal beach tags for summer 2022.

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