Summertime, sweet, summertime. Every year it seems as if the summer season goes by faster and faster. We look forward to Memorial Day with mounting anticipation, only to turn around and find ourselves midway through September in the blink of an eye. The good new is (despite the sudden fall chill in the air) that it is still officially summer – until Saturday that is. Ocean City says goodbye to summer each year with Sunfest. Similar to the summer season kick-off we experience with Springfest, Sunfest is a downtown entertainment, arts, crafts, and fried foods throw-down.
This weekend the Ocean City Inlet parking lot will be transformed from last weekends’ biker powwow to more of a carnival scene. Instead of bike vendors, expect to find arts and crafts vendors, food tents, and a steady stream of live entertainment. Expect upwards of 40 vendors to be in attendance, with an array of arts and crafts for sale. Food is also on site, with Sunfest staples such as funnel cakes, fried oyster sandwiches, french fries, crab cakes, cotton candy and more. Thousands will flock to the Inlet for the free event, so plan ahead for parking and transportation. We suggest utilizing the town’s public transportation. If you live downtown, simply hop on the bus. There’s also the Park and Ride. Park your car at Northside Park on 125th Street, the Municipal Lot at 100th Street, the Public Safety Building at 65th Street or the Route 50 Park and Ride and take the bus from there.
Beyond the food, arts and crafts, Sunfest also promises four days of live entertainment. Headlining acts this year are Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis (Thursday), Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves (Friday) and the Beach Boys (Saturday). As for the rest of the weekend’s entertainment:
Thursday, September 19
10am: Opening Ceremony – outdoor
10:30am: The Diamonds – indoor
11:30am: Frankie & The Pack – outdoor
12:30pm: Recreation Dancers – indoor
1:30pm: Jimmy Charles Band – outdoor
2:30pm: Lady Invidia – indoor
3:30pm: The Diamonds – outdoor
4:30pm – Frankie & The Pack – indoor
5:30pm: Full Circle – outdoor
6:45pm: Sir Rod – outdoor
8pm: Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis – indoor
Friday, September 20
10am: The Diamonds – indoor
11am: The Patty Reese Band – outdoor
12:pm: Mockingbird Sun – indoor
1pm: N.O.M.A.D – outdoor
2pm: The Patty Reese Band – indoor
3pm: The Diamonds – outdoor
4pm: Jimmy Charles Band – indoor
5pm: Lady Invidia – outdoor
6:30pm: N.O.M.A.D – outdoor
8pm: Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves – indoor
Saturday, September 21
10am: The Diamonds – indoor
11am: N.O.M.A.D – outdoor
12pm: Power Play Band – indoor
1pm: Mockingbird Sun – outdoor
2pm: The Groove Train – indoor
3pm: The Diamonds – outdoor
4pm: The Moodswingers featuring Lauren Glick – indoor
5pm: Poole & The Gang – outdoor
6:30pm: The Groove Train – outdoor
8pm: The Beach Boys – indoor
Sunday, September 22
10am: Quiet Fire – outdoor
12pm: Weird Science Band – indoor
1:30pm: Sir Rod – indoor
3pm: The U.S. Army Field Band – indoor
4:30pm: Separate Ways, a Journey Tribute Band – outdoor
Sunfest is open to the public Thursday through Saturday, from 10am to 10pm; Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free with the exception of the headlining acts.
While enjoying your time at the inlet, be sure to also look to the beaches and the skies for the Annual Sunfest Kite Fest, located on the beach between Division and 6th Streets. The world-class kite festival is truly an aerial display of artwork, as master kite flyers from around the world showcase their craft. The Kite Fest runs all weekend long, and includes kite workshops and kite battles.
