Ocean City Spring Block Party Set for Saturday

The city’s mile-long Spring Block Party is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4, between Fifth and 14^th streets on Asbury Avenue.

More than 400 crafters will be featured, along with food, entertainment and public service displays. There will be free pony rides for children on the Ocean City Tabernacle grounds at Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Parking will be free in downtown lots, including the Transportation Center at 10^th Street and Haven Avenue, in back of McDonald's. Parking will be free on Wesley Avenue and all streets toward the bay from there. Parking meters and parking lot fees will be in effect on all streets to the ocean side of Wesley Avenue.

The Spring Block Party began 30 years ago when the city was beginning to expand its spring events. It started as a two-block festival at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue but quickly picked up steam and expanded to its current size, covering the entire commercial area in the downtown.

This year, the event will give Ocean City a chance to show off to thousands of visitors its recovery from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

A huge array of hand-made crafts will be featured, including yard and home decorations, clothing, bird houses, home made jellies, jewelry, art, photography and more. One of the highlights of the event is the Greek Food Festival.

The "Above and Beyond" slam-dunk team will give a demonstration on the Tabernacle grounds.

For information, call 1-800-BEACH-NJ. The festival is sponsored by the Ocean City Retail Merchants Association.

More than 100 downtown shops will be open, many with table sales, during the Block Party. The downtown merchants also will have a sidewalk sale on Sunday (May 5) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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