Maryland Folk Festival

Celebrate Maryland’s Culture at the Maryland Folk Festival 2024!

The Maryland Folk Festival returns this September, offering an exciting weekend filled with live music, cultural performances, and artisan showcases. From September 22-24, downtown Salisbury will come alive with diverse folk traditions from around the country. This free, family-friendly event promises a memorable experience with performances across multiple stages, featuring everything from bluegrass to gospel, traditional dance, and much more.

Schedule Highlights:

  • Friday, September 22: The festivities kick off at 6 PM with a variety of live music performances and food vendors.
  • Saturday, September 23: Full-day events begin at 12 PM with workshops, storytelling, and music across multiple stages.
  • Sunday, September 24: Don’t miss the closing performances and the final artisan demonstrations, starting at 12 PM.

Enjoy a weekend celebrating the rich traditions of folk culture in Maryland! For the full schedule and details, visit Maryland Folk Festival.


Get Ready for Country Calling: Your Guide to Nearby Hotels in Ocean City, MD

This year marks the exciting debut of the Country Calling Music Festival in Ocean City, MD! While this is the festival’s first year, its counterpart, Oceans Calling, attracts a staggering 50,000 people each day. With such large crowds, finding transportation or, worse, parking can be a major challenge. But don’t let that stress get in the way of your fun.

One simple solution? Stay at a hotel within walking distance from the festival. Not only will you skip the hassle of traffic, but you’ll also enjoy the luxury of strolling to and from the event with ease. Here are some conveniently located hotels that will keep you close to the action:

The Oceanic Motel

Oceanic Motel, 105 S 1st St, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 0.3 miles
    Located just a short walk from the festival grounds, this motel offers the ultimate convenience if you want to be right in the thick of things.
corner of the motel with sand, beach chairs and hammocks in the foreground

Plim Plaza Hotel

Plim Plaza Hotel, 109 N Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 0.6 miles
    A little farther but still well within walking distance, Plim Plaza Hotel offers a comfortable stay with great amenities. With its prime location on the boardwalk, you’ll be close to not only the festival but also the beach and local restaurants.

Harrison Hall Hotel

Harrison Hall Hotel, 1409 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 1.5 miles
    For those who don’t mind a slightly longer walk, Harrison Hall is a great choice. Set along the boardwalk, this historic hotel gives you the best of both worlds: proximity to the festival and a beachfront stay.

Courtyard by Marriott

Courtyard Ocean City Oceanfront, Two 15th St, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 1.5 miles
    If you stay here, you’ll have the opportunity to conveniently dine at Captain’s Table, located inside the hotel.

Quality Inn Boardwalk

Quality Inn Boardwalk, 1601 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 1.5 miles
    Grab yourself a cup of coffee at the Starbucks right outside the hotel before heading to the festival!
Hotel entrance | Quality Inn, Ocean-city MD Hotels

Holiday Inn & Suites

Holiday Inn & Suites Ocean City, an IHG Hotel, 1701 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD 21842

  • Distance from the festival: 1.6 miles
    If you prefer a full-service hotel with a range of amenities, this is a fantastic choice. When your not at the festival you can enjoy the pools, fitness center, or the restaurant.

With so many hotel options nearby, attending the first-ever Country Calling Festival in Ocean City couldn’t be easier. Whether you want a quick walk from your room to the festival or a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, these accommodations will ensure you’re close to all the excitement!

So, book your stay now and get ready to enjoy a weekend full of country music, good vibes, and the beauty of Ocean City!

Guinness World Record Breaker – Cascading Carlos

Carlos, the 2 time Guinness World Record title holder tries for a third title at one of our locations!

Breaking his First Guinness World Record

Carlos broke his first world record July 9th in 2015 with the Diablo Throw. Using a Chinese yoyo, he threw it above an 8-story building before catching it again. This was actually preformed at one of your locations – The Holiday Inn on 66th street in Ocean City! The record that he broke was 65 ft, setting a new record of 78 ft 5 inches.

Breaking his Second Guinness World Record

Fast forward 6 years to May 15th, 2021, Carlos breaks his second Guinness World Record in Bethany Beach, DE. For this he had to break the previous record of 106 helicopter spins with devil sticks in one minute. He surpassed this with 113 spins in one minute marking him as the new record title holder!

Picture
Photo by Glenn Rolfe

Going after his Third Guinness World Record Title

This past Sunday, September 8th, Carlos attempted to break another world record at the Hilton Oceanfront Suites. This title was for the highest propellor toss with a devil stick. Carlos had to perform propellor spins for a full 5 seconds before throwing the stick over a bar, catch it, and then do the propellor spins for another 5 seconds.


You can catch Carlos at a number of our locations to see him in action!

Ocean City Bikefest

Rev Your Engines for OC BikeFest 2024!

Every September, Ocean City, Maryland, transforms into a paradise for motorcycle enthusiasts as OC BikeFest roars into town. This year’s event, happening from September 11-15, 2024, promises an unforgettable experience for bikers and fans alike. With epic live music, custom bike shows, and scenic rides along the coast, OC BikeFest is the perfect end-of-summer event. For more information regarding tickets, parking, and rules and regulations visit https://ocbikefest.com/.

OC BikeFest 2024: Daily Event Schedule

Wednesday – Saturday

  • Inlet venue: Gates open 4PM
  • Convention Center: 9AM – 7PM

Wednesday, September 11

  • Main Stage: Cecilia’s Fall at 5:30 PM, Jasmine Cain at 7:30 PM, Buckcherry at 9:30 PM.
  • Ives Brother’s Ball of Steel: Shows at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM.

Thursday, September 12

  • Main Stage: Nothing More at 5:30 PM, Sevendust at 7:30 PM, Theory of a Deadman at 9:30 PM.
  • Ives Brother’s Ball of Steel: Shows at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM.

Friday, September 13

  • Main Stage: The Rockoholics at 5:30 PM, Tesla at 7:30 PM, Ted Nugent at 9:30 PM.
  • Ives Brother’s Ball of Steel: Shows at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM

Saturday, September 14

  • Main Stage: Jet Black Roses at 5:30 PM, Cheap Trick at 7:30 PM, Styx at 9:30 PM.
  • Ives Brother’s Ball of Steel: Shows at 5 PM, 7 PM, and 9 PM.

Sunday, September 15

  • Inlet Venue: Closed.
  • Convention Center: Vendors from 9 AM to 2 PM, Rommel Harley-Davidson from 9 AM to 1 PM.

Sunfest in Ocean City

As the summer season draws to a close, Ocean City, Maryland, pulls out all the stops with its signature event, Sunfest! Taking place along the iconic Inlet Lot and beach, this beloved festival promises four days of live music, local food, arts and crafts, and non-stop fun from October 24th-27th, 2024. Whether you’re a long-time visitor or new to the area, Sunfest is the perfect way to savor the final moments of summer. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Event Hours:

  • Thursday to Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Music Lineup:

Sunfest features free live performances on two stages, with over 20 bands covering genres like rock, country, R&B, and fusion. Notable performances include July Moon, performing on Sunday, October 27, at 11 a.m.

Delicious Local Eats

No festival experience is complete without trying the amazing food, and Sunfest does not disappoint. From fresh seafood to sweet treats like funnel cakes, the food options reflect the best of Ocean City’s culinary scene. Don’t miss the chance to try local favorites like Maryland crab cakes or fried oysters.

Art and Craft Show

Sunfest is famous for its Arts & Crafts Tent, which features more than 200 artists showcasing their talents. You’ll find handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, and more, with many vendors offering unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a special souvenir or gift.

Activities

This festival is a fantastic family outing, with plenty of kid-friendly activities. Some daily activities include the beach maze, tractor rides, a turtle search, and bikes on the beach. They also have pet events like Dock Dogs, Howl-o-ween parade, and other casual competitions. Some more fun events include a pumpkin race, OC Jeep club Drive in Disguise and a bonfire with fireworks on Saturday!

How to Get There

Located at the southern end of Ocean City, the Inlet Parking Lot is the hub of all Sunfest activity. Parking can fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to take the Ocean City bus for easy access to the event.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend in Ocean City

It’s almost St. Paddy’s Day Weekend! This weekend marks the unofficial start of the season with lots of restaurants and hotels reopening for the big weekend. 

If you’re looking for somewhere to get your green on and throw back a pint, then look no further than Ocean City! From parades to live music, the town has everything you need to have an amazing weekend.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 16th 12pm

The big event of the weekend, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a beloved tradition in Ocean City that’s been around for nearly 45 years. The parade route starts on 57th Street and ends at the judging table on 45th Street. This parade is a highlight of the weekend featuring colorful and fun floats from countless local businesses and organizations, marching bands, and of course, lots and lots of green!

But the fun doesn’t stop with the parade. At the end of the parade on 45th Street is the Irish Festival, complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, performances by Irish dancers, and plenty of green parade souvenirs, and of course, we can’t forget a variety of beers.

With free admission, it’s the perfect way to kick off your St. Paddy’s festivities.

Seacret’s Irie-ish Music Festival

March 16th 12pm

For music lovers, Seacret’s Irie-ish Music Fest promises a day and night filled with amazing live entertainment. Starting at 12pm and featuring seven bands and four DJs, including a special appearance by the Ocean City Pipes & Drums, this festival is a celebration of local talent as well as Irish culture. With so many acts, there’s something for everyone. 

Check out their page to see the festival line-up!

St. Patrick’s Day 5K

March 16th 9am

Lace up your running shoes and join the St. Patrick’s Day 5K. This race runs along the scenic Ocean City Boardwalk. Starting behind Shenanigan’s Irish Pub on 4th Street, participants will run south toward the Inlet before heading north to 16th street and finally ending at 4th Street again. 

If you want to get active before your night of partying, then sign up for the run here.

Of course, these events aren’t the only thing going on around town. Plenty of businesses will have live music and special menus to celebrate Irish culture.

Live Music Around Town

No St. Patrick’s Day weekend would be complete without plenty of live music, and Ocean City delivers that and more! Here’s a few of the many restaurants and bars with special live music and performances throughout the weekend:

Bourbon Street on the Beach

Friday 15th

  • Dave Sherman – 4pm
  • Lennon & Leftovers – 7pm

Saturday 16th

  • Chris Button – 3pm
  • Jimmy Charles Band – 8pm

Sunday 17th

  • Chris Button – 4pm

Coin’s Pub

Friday 15th

  • No More Whiskey – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • First Class Trio – 2pm

Crawl Street Tavern

Friday 15th

  • Bill Dickson & MTT – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • Black Dog Alley – 8pm

Sunday 17th

  • Schizophrenic Boogiemen – 3pm

Fager’s Island

Friday 15th

  • 19th Street Band – 5:30pm
  • Tranzfusion – 9:30pm

Saturday 16th

  • Band With Names – 3pm
  • Radio Hero – 9:30pm

Harpoon Hanna’s

Friday 15th

  • Dave Hawkin -s 5pm
  • Dust N’ Bones – 8pm

Saturday 16th

  • On the Edge – 1pm
  • Dave Sherman – 5pm

Sunday 17th

  • On the Edge – 1pm
  • Shortcut Sunny – 5pm

Papi’s Tacos

Friday 15th

  • Rogue Citizens Duo – 7pm

Saturday 16th

  • On the Edge – 7pm

Sunday 17th

  • One Night Stand – 4pm

Purple Moose

Friday 15th

  • Sugar Jack – 10pm

Saturday 16th

  • Sugar Jack – 10pm

Sunday 17th

  • Rogue Citizens – 2pm

Shenanigan’s

Friday 15th

  • Off the Boat – 5:30pm

Saturday 16th – starting at 11am

  • Tig Tigner & Off the Boat
  • Bagpipe Appearances

Sunday 17th

  • Tig Tigner & Off the Boat
  • Bagpipe Appearances

With this weekend being centered around bar crawls and drinking, please drink responsibly. We recommend making plans to stay in Ocean City, so you are close to all the action and can enjoy the weekend to its fullest without having to drive.

Check out our hotels that are currently open and book your St. Paddy’s Weekend stay today!

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