oceancitymaryland Archives

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

Posted on September 16, 2024September 16, 2024 by Madison

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!

Top 10 things to bring to Oceans Calling

Posted on September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 by Madison

As Oceans Calling gets closer, you’re going to want to make sure you have everything you need. Here is a list of 10 things you should bring this year:

1. Cash, Cards, ID, and Tickets

This might seem like common sense but sometimes your so focused on packing everything else that these get pushed to the side. Most or all vendors will accept card or mobile payment but it’s always good to have some cash incase. The tickets for Oceans Calling are wristbands so make sure you put it on the morning of and activate it because they cannot be loosened or removed. If you wind up needing a replacement, it is a $20 fee. You can also activate your wristband for cashless payment, making it easier to pay for food, drinks, and merch during the festival. It’s similar to the Disney Magic Bands in that case. If you are interested in this option, visit this page.

2. Sunglasses

Make sure you bring sunglasses so you are not squinting all day! I would recommend buying a cheap pair off amazon in case they fall off or break while your jumping around like these.

3. Sun Protection

Just because it’s September doesn’t mean you wont get sunburnt. I would put sunscreen on before you leave and then bring some for later. Don’t forget your face! You can also bring a hat to the festival which will protect your skin and keep some sun out of your eyes.

4. Battery Pack

You are going to be using your phone a lot whether it be to keep in touch with your group, arrange transportation, or take videos and selfies. If you know your phone battery will get low by the end of the night, bring a portable charger to be safe. They will have charging stations but if it was me, I would rather have my own.

5. Lip Balm

Being in the sun and not drinking enough water is bound to give you chapped lips. Bring your favorite lip balm to keep your lips hydrated!

6. Electrolytes

Let’s be honest, we’re not drinking enough water at music festivals. If your bring some electrolytes, you will make the most out of the water that you do drink.

7. Reusable Water Bottle

You can’t bring any outside food or beverages but you can bring an empty reusable water bottle. If you don’t feel like carrying one around all day, you can buy a collapsable one that will easily fit into your bag when empty. There will be water stations throughout the festival. Make sure to check the bag policy ahead of time though.

8. Ear Plugs

Ear plugs are always a good thing to have at concerts. Especially if you plan on getting close to the stage for your favorite artists!

9. Body Wipes

The festival starts at 12 pm and continues until 11pm. That’s 11 hours of fun! Body wipes are a good thing to have on hand for a number of reasons that I don’t have to list.

10. Extras

Depending on the weather, it might be a good idea to bring a poncho, foldable rain jacket, or extra pair of socks to stay dry. In addition, blankets are allowed if you want to take a break from standing and enjoy the music sitting on the sand.

Guinness World Record Breaker – Cascading Carlos

Posted on September 12, 2024September 12, 2024 by Madison

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!

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.

Carlos Mir attempting the highest propellor toss with a devil stick at the Hilton Oceanfront Suites.

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

Sunfest in Ocean City

Posted on September 6, 2024September 6, 2024 by Madison

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.