Businesses in north Ocean City, MD are gearing up for the first ever Uptown Beach Bash to be held this upcoming weekend. Over the course of three days beginning Friday August 24th, participatory events and festival-type entertainment are planned to bolster business in what is usually a very slow weekend. Hindered by proximity between the previous exodus of college students, the forthcoming Monday start-of-school for grade-schoolers, and the onslaught of the last official weekend of summer—Labor Day—the last weekend in August had little incentive to offer, until now.

Organizers of the Uptown Beach Bash hope that the inaugural event will boost business as much as 30%. If it’s successful it will become an annual event. If the activities planned over the weekend are any indication, a large crowd is expected.

Participatory events include the Kick-Off Uptown Beach Bash Bay Party and Paddleboard Regatta at BJ’s on the Water on 75th Street. Paddleboard lessons and clinics will be offered. The main event is the BJ’s Bay Battle, for veteran SUP enthusiasts, and is a racecourse of four laps around the island.  Following the race will be a SUP Paddle Parade. Participants are encouraged to decorate their boards for prizes. The second, and most highly publicized and anticipated event, is the Bikini Parade. Organizers hope to win a Guinness Book of World Record for Longest Bikini Parade. The parade of bikini-clad individuals will start at the beach in front of the Princess Royale on 94th Street, and end on the beach in front of the Carousel Hotel on 115th Street. Participants must register in advance and can do so by visiting here.

If you happen to be more of a watcher than a participator, Sunday’s planned event may just be your speed. The Local Palooza is an utterly free music and arts festival, taking place at Northside Park from noon to 9 p.m. The park’s lush acres of grass, ponds, and the beautiful backdrop of the bay provide a prime music and arts festival location. 10 well-known local acts will play for nine hours of continuous entertainment. Set to take the Local Palooza festival stage are: Hot Sauce Sandwich, Blake Hailey, Monkey Paw, Aaron Howell, Full Circle, Electric Company, Fallen Down 20, The Bryan Russo Band, Mary Lou and the Untouchables and few notable DJ’s. Talented local artists will showcase their wares all around the park. Moon bounces, huge slides, and jousting provide free kid’s entertainment. And, as if that weren’t enough to keep you entertained all day, the Monster Energy BMX team will be flying high over the park and the crowd below, putting all their tricks on display.

So there you have it. Three days of events and entertainment providing plenty of incentive to visit Ocean City, MD this weekend. A portion of the Uptown Beach Bash proceeds benefit The Surfrider Foundation, Diakonia, and Relay for Life.

If You Go:

Uptown Beach Bash, Ocean City, MD

Friday, August 24th through Sunday, August 26

August 24th

  • Kick-Off Bay Party and Paddleboard Regatta
  • BJ’s on the Water 75th Street
  • 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

August 25th

  • Bikini Parade
  • Starting at the Princess Royale beach, 94th Street
  • 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

August 26th

  • Local Palooza
  • Northside Park 125th Street
  • Noon to 9 p.m.
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To register for the Paddelboard Race or the Bikini Parade, or to find more information, visit Uptown Beach Bash.