July 4th in Ocean City | Arts & Entertainment | Atlantic City Weekly

One of South Jersey?s most anticipated spectacles is Independence Day at the Jersey shore. ?

For many, it?s a fixed tradition to be on the beaches and boardwalks for the shore towns? display of fireworks. Natives and vacationers to the Jersey shore can testify that America?s birth is best celebrated in sandals and a bathing suit, accompanied by a tasty boardwalk treat. ?

Ocean City?s Independence Day weekend kicks off with a romantic comedy by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, It Had To Be You, from Friday to Sunday (June 29-July 1) at the Ocean City Repertory Theater. The play is being directed by the founder and producing artistic director Flossi Micciolo. Asbury Avenue is pressing on this summer into its second decade with new In-House Director Eddie Shiffler, appointed by Micciolo. Shiffler was a key component in Ocean City?s 125th Anniversary celebration and will now be helping to reorganize the non-profit organization. ?

The theater has been gaining a reputation for professional material and is the first time Ocean City has an official Performance Arts Center in its downtown. ?

?We?ve discovered that there was such a need in this community for an outlet for performing arts, especially amongst the kids,? said Flossi.?

This Saturday, June 30, Ocean City is hosting the free Exchange Club Craft Show at the Music Pier. Vendors express their artistic sides and invite shoppers to check out their personal crafts that are for sale. ?

Sunday, soccer heats up at Carey Stadium where the Ocean City Nor?easters take on the Bermuda Hogges. The half-time events include a Zumba workout experience and a Euro 2012 Soccer Celebration. Meanwhile, Franklin, Tennessee composer, author and recording artist Michael Card, is playing a free concert at the Ocean City Tabernacle. Card is an American Christian singer-song writer, musician and radio host who has recorded over 31 albums and authored or co-authored over 24 books. He seeks to encourage his audiences to join in meaningful discussions with one another. ?

Sunday through Thursday, the Ocean City Pops will be presenting Crazy For You at the Hughes Performing Arts Center. In collaboration with the Ocean City Theatre Company, the musical is described as thrilling song and dance tunes of George Gershwin.?

The arts in Ocean City spill over into Monday night with Beatlemania Now: a live musical concert experience that is said to be the ultimate tribute to the Beatles. The event will be held at the Music Pier with proceeds going to benefit the Ocean City VFW Post 6650.?

America?s 236th birthday will be celebrated with two morning bike parades sponsored by the South O.C. Improvement Association and the Gardens Civic Association. Registration begins an hour before the parades at the Longport Bridge parking lot and 40th Street and Asbury Avenue. The Ocean City Tabernacle will also be having its weekly Farmer?s Market. ?

Preceding the highly anticipated fireworks display, Ocean City is also hosting a kite flying competition on the 9th Street Beach. Participants and visitors are invited to get settled in early for the fireworks by watching the skies for the kite competition. 9:30pm marks the start of Ocean City?s July 4 fireworks display on the 9th Street Beach just as Atlantic City begins its celebration to the north. Between the two islands? simultaneous fireworks shows, the skies of Independence Day eve will carry on a true American tradition at the Jersey shore.

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UPCOMING OCEAN CITY EVENTS?

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Friday, June 29 to July 1?

?It Had To Be You? ?
Ocean City Repertory Theater, 813 Asbury Ave. The Ocean City Repertory Theater presents It Had To Be You, a romantic comedy play by Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna directed by founder and producing artistic director Flossi Micciolo. $15. Sat. 8pm, Sun. 2:30pm. 457-6686. ocrep.org.?

Saturday, June 30?

Ocean City Exchange Club Craft Show?
Music Pier Loggia, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Free. 9am?3pm 525- 9300.?

Sunday, July 1?

Michael Card in Concert?
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave. American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author and radio host. Free. 7pm. 399-1915. octabernacle.org. ?

Nor?easters vs Bermuda Hogges?
Carey Stadium, 6th Street & Atlantic Avenue. Half-time events include a Zumba workout Experience and a Euro 2012 Soccer Celebration. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com.?

Sunday, July 1, Tuesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 5?

Ocean City Pops - ?Crazy For You??
Hughes Performing Arts Center, 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Song and dance tunes of George Gershwin. In collaboration with the Ocean City Theatre Company. $25. 7:30pm each night. (Also a matinee show Thursday, 2pm). Tickets $25. ocnj.us.?

Monday, July 2?

?Beatlemania Now??
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. The Ultimate tribute to the Beatles. A live musical concert experience. Proceeds to benefit Ocean City Post 6650 VFW. $18. 525-9248. ocnj.us/boxoffice. ?

Wednesday, July 4?

Fourth of July Celebration?
9th St. beach. Kite flying competition at 5pm followed by entertainment. A spectacular fireworks display off 9thStreetbeach tops off the evening at 9:30pm. 525-9300. ocnj.us.?

July 4th Bike Parade ?
Two locations:
Sponsored by the Gardens Civic Assoc. Registration 9am at the Longport Bridge parking lot. Parade begins at 10am. For more information call 609-525-9300.?
Sponsored by the South OC Improvement Assoc. Registration 9am at 40th & Asbury Ave. Parade begins at 10am. For more information call 609-525-9300.?

Farmer?s Market?
O.C. Tabernacle, Wesley Avenue. Farmer?s Market every Wednesday. 8am-1pm. 525-9300.?

Friday, July 6?

Nor?easters vs New Jersey Rangers ?
Carey Stadium, 6th Street and Atlantic Ave. Half-time events include continuation of the July 4th celebrations, celebrate American Independence with the Nor?easters. $8 Adults $4 Kids. 7pm. 525-9999. OceanCityFC.com?

Sam Robb Memorial Beach 5k & Fun Run?
40thSt. beach. A beach run to benefit the Sam Robb Fund within Cure Childhood Cancer. The Sam Robb Fund supports a pediatric research fellow in oncology. Cure Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding target research and support of patients and families. For more information visit samrobb.comor call 1-800-443-CURE.?

Saturday, July 7 to July 8?

Ocean City Pops ?
Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk. Rodney Mack?s Big Band Brasscomes to the Music Pier, along with the POPS? brass and percussion musicians. Tickets $15/10. 8pm. ocnj.us. 525-9300.?

Sunday, July 8?

Glad In Concert?
Ocean City Tabernacle, 550 Wesley Ave, free admission. 7pm. 399-1915. octabernacle.org. ?

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Attractions:?

Ocean City Arts Center?
1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City. June Exhibit: ?I Remember Wanamaker?s.? Hours Mon.-Fri. 9am-9pm, Sat. 9am-3pm. Visit oceancityartscenter.org.?

Ocean City Fine Arts League?
608 Asbury Ave. June: ?Flowers.? Gallery Hours: 10am-6pm Mon.-Sat. 10am-1pm Sun. 814-0308 or oceancityfineartsleague.org.?

Ocean City Historical Museum?
1735 Simpson Ave. Hours: 10am-4pm Tue.-Fri., 11am-2pm Sat. Free. Call 399-1801 or vist ocnjmuseum.org. n?

Catch the fireworks on Wednesday, July 4!

PHOTO BY DON KRAVITZ

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