February is almost over, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it here at ShoreBread. It’s not just the fact that Old Man Winter has severely worn out his welcome (although he definitely needs to get the boot) but rather the fact that March marks the return of so many wonderful things on Delmarva. Restaurants that shuttered for winter begin to re-open, warmer temperatures start to creep back in, and the days become gloriously longer and longer. More importantly, our events calendar starts to overflow with options. St. Patrick’s Day Parades, concerts, trade shows, fundraisers and more are already on tap for the month of March, so grab your calendars and make note of all the fun things happening over the next few weeks. If you’re a local, we suggest attending as many events as you can muster. As for visitors, we suggest you start planning your trips to Ocean City and the surrounding areas now!

March 1:

Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival

  • It’s a chocolate lover’s delight in Rehoboth from 11:30 am until 3:30 pm at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Assorted vendors and endless chocolate treats baked by local restaurants, chefs and chocoholics will be available, along with prizes for professionals and amateurs. Event admission is $5 which includes 5 tastes (extra tastes are just $.50 cents each).

Coastal Concerts in Lewes

  • Starting at 2pm at the Bethel United Methodist Church Hall in Lewes are featured musicians Elena Urioste on violin and Michael Brown on piano.

Star Party @ Wallops Island

  • If you like to gaze up at the stars, don’t miss this wonderful and FREE event at the NASA Visitor Center. Telescopes will be provided by local astronomy clubs, but amateur astronomers are welcome to bring their own as well. The event will also feature guest speakers, crafts and activities for the kids and more. This is an all day event.

March 8:

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

  • The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra presents their strings concert, “Seven Seasons,” at the Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View at 7:30 pm.

March 9:

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra

  • The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Presents their strings concert, “Seven Seasons,” at the Ocean Pines Community Church at 3pm.

AUCE Pancake Breakfast for WYFCS

  • A pancake breakfast will be held at Malia’s Café located in the Spinnaker Motel, 18th St. & Baltimore Ave. in Ocean City from 7 am to 11:30am. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door and include all you can eat pancakes with your choice of sausage or bacon and coffee, tea or soda. 100 percent of your ticket price will go towards helping the Worcester Youth and Family Services, a private, non-profit that has been serving our community for 36 years.

HMRA Spring Trade Expo

  • Each year, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association’s popular Trade Expo draws close to 5,000 attendees and features 400 exhibit booths. Exhibitors and attendees look forward to networking and learning from one another. For more information, visit www.oceancitytradeexpo.com.

March 10:

HMRA Spring Trade Expo

  • Each year, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association’s popular Trade Expo draws close to 5,000 attendees and features 400 exhibit booths. Exhibitors and attendees look forward to networking and learning from one another. For more information, visit www.oceancitytradeexpo.com.

March 11:

Wicomico Youth & Civic Center hosts Beatlemania

  • The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center of Salisbury hosts Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at 7:30pm. The production is a live, multimedia spectacular that takes you through the life and times of the world’s most celebrated band.

March 15:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean City

  • Everyone loves to be Irish at Ocean City’s famous parade!  The parade beings at 12pm and travels south on Coastal Highway from 60th Street to 44th Street. There will also be a festival with food, drink and fun at the 45th Street shopping area starting at 11am.

OC Festival Handbell Concert

  • Concert of the Handbell Musicians of America, Area III, Ocean City Festival. Over 500 handbell ringers will play en masse under the guest conductor, Michael Helman from 4:45 to 5:30 pm.

Snow Hill Blues Jam

  • Ticket sales for this event are limited to 250 so act now – tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.sharpworks.org. Doors open at 6:30pm at the Firehouse on Green Street. Enjoy Tom Mason’s BBQ to the sounds of Snow Hill All-Stars and the Dave Chappell band from Washington D.C. There will also be an auction upstairs to benefit future musical events in Snow Hill.

March 16:

Passport Experience Chesapeake Wine Trail

  • Experience the beauty, magic and the flavor of the Chesapeake Wine Trail as you journey through the most scenic and charming parts of Maryland. The Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail takes you through Maryland’s Eastern Shore, with stops at 12 local wineries. For more information, visit www.marylandwine.com.

March 20:

Art of the Belly

  • Art of the Belly returns to the Carousel Hotel for the 4th Annual Belly Dancing Festival in Ocean City. Visit www.artofthebelly.com for details, showtimes, bios and more!

March 21:

Home, Condo & Outdoor Show (noon-6pm)

  • Over 185 exhibitors, featuring kitchens, baths, furnishings, accessories, energy conservation, water treatment, security, financial services, outdoor living and more at Ocean City’s Convention Center. Low admission at the door: $6 adults; $5 seniors and students; free for children under 13.

Art and Craft Fair

  • Artists and crafters will complement the Home Show; admission is included in the Home, Condo & Garden Show admission.

Art of the Belly

  • Art of the Belly returns to the Carousel Hotel for the 4th Annual Belly Dancing Festival in Ocean City. Visit www.artofthebelly.com for details, showtimes, bios and more!

March 22:

Home, Condo & Outdoor Show (10am-6pm)

  • Over 185 exhibitors, featuring kitchens, baths, furnishings, accessories, energy conservation, water treatment, security, financial services, outdoor living and more at Ocean City’s Convention Center. Low admission at the door: $6 adults; $5 seniors and students; Free for children under 13.

Art and Craft Fair

  • Artists and crafters will complement the Home Show; admission is included in the Home, Condo & Garden Show admission.

Art of the Belly

  • Art of the Belly returns to the Carousel Hotel for the 4th Annual Belly Dancing Festival in Ocean City. Visit www.artofthebelly.com for details, showtimes, bios and more!

March 23:

Home, Condo & Outdoor Show (10:30am-3:30pm)

  • Over 185 exhibitors, featuring kitchens, baths, furnishings, accessories, energy conservation, water treatment, security, financial services, outdoor living and more at Ocean City’s Convention Center. Low admission at the door: $6 adults; $5 seniors and students; Free for children under 13.

Art and Craft Fair

  • Artists and crafters will complement the Home Show; admission is included in the Home, Condo & Garden Show admission.

March 28:

Celebrate Berlin

  • You’re invited to Celebrate Berlin! Friday, March 28 from 6pm until 9pm at Harrison’s Harbor Watch as the Berlin Heritage Foundation hosts an evening of hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine with a local flavor. Win silent auction items from Berlin businesses while listening to musical entertainment. Tickets are $35 per person and include food and the first glass of beer or wine. Call 410-641-1019 for advanced tickets.

March 29:

Kisses for Colby 5k

  • Head out to Ocean Pines for the Kisses for Colby 5K and one-mile fun walk. Join in a fun morning while helping to fight blood cancer. Proceeds will benefit the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Register at www.octrirunning.com

BrewGrass 2014 @ Fager’s

  • Six breweries, all-you-can-eat southern-style BBQ, unlimited craft beers and music by the Brackish Brothers?! This event almost sounds too good to be true. The BrewGrass event will be held from 1pm until 5pm at Fager’s Island. Tickets are $37 in advance and $42 at the door.