'Market Madness' Kicks Off 2024 Season In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — It may not seem like it right now, but summer is coming, and it'll be here before you know it. In the meantime, you can get a sneak preview of what it will be like this weekend with the return of Ocean City's "Market Madness."

This two-day event (March 9 and 10) features Boardwalk and Downtown merchants coming together under one roof at Ocean City Music Pier. More than 30 vendors will be there offering discounts on favorite local merchandise, goods and attractions.

Hours for the event are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Parking will be free in municipal lots adjacent to the boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace, Eighth Street and Ninth Street.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, Ocean City's Boardwalk Merchants Association and Downtown Merchants Association created the new Market Madness in 2020 as an early-season attraction, and the fourth annual event will help kick off a season of 2024 special events that will continue throughout the year. There will be prize giveaways, a live DJ both days from noon to 3 p.m., and food and drink for sale. Bring your own shopping bags.

Participating businesses include:

• We Make It Personal
• Jay’s Crab Shack
• Manco and Manco Pizza
• George’s Candies
• Wonderland Pier
• Playland’s Castaway Cove
• Jilly’s T-Shirt Factory
• Goodies Gone Wild
• Boba Works
• Surf Mall
• Shirt Shack
• Jilly’s Arcade
• OC Waterpark
• Air Circus
• Stainton’s Gallery of Shops
• Jewelry Hut
• Shades
• Making Waves
• Ashore Fit
• White Lotus
• Bowfish Kids
• Sand + Stitch
• Hula Restaurant
• Bella U
• Fisherman’s Cove
• All Campus
• LEH Soap Company
• Congo Falls
• Bad Kitty
• Payton Jewelry
• Kay Jay’s Doll Shoppe
• Lisa’s Sweet Treats