Sunfest 2016!

Each and every summer day in Ocean City, Maryland memories are created and stored in the brains of thousands of our out-of-town visitors. Once those visitors all trickle back to their own respective homes and get settled back into their normal life routines, they sometimes stop and wish they could relive that OC memory created a few weeks ago - or even a few years ago! Sometimes it's the smell of apple cider vinegar that triggers your senses into thinking you're about to eat a Thrasher’s French Fry. Sometimes it's the sound of the Atlantic Ocean, the distant sound of the fog horn or even the sound of the Route 50 drawbridge opening that can trick your senses into thinking you’re actually IN Ocean City! I know you’re thinking, well if I’m hearing all those things, I must BE in Ocean City! Nope, think again!

It’s very possible to actually “feel” like you are in Ocean City, MD from the comfort of your own home. It’s truly the next best thing, thanks to our own OC Insider Bill! He has been visiting OCMD now for over 40 years and recorded his first “sound” of Ocean City back in 1974, it was of the old Jetty Beacon Foghorn. In the more recent years Bill has taken to recording sounds all over the city.

An afternoon at Seacrets with reggae music, excited chatter and the sound of drinks being poured (and drank) in the background.  How about a day at Trimper’s Amusement park and a scary ride through Boardwalks own Haunted House!  The staple sounds of Ocean City’s seagulls, as well as The Atlantic Ocean are also included in his mix.  All of these tracks came together to form “The Sounds of Ocean City, MD” which is a souvenir cd you can purchase through Bill’s webpage.

Bill has more up his sleeve than just recording the sounds of our beloved island.  He hopes one day that when all the stars and planets align in his life that he will be able to start his own deli and move to Ocean Pines, MD.  It’s close enough to Ocean City, but far enough if you want to escape.  The views of the OC skyline from Ocean Pines are IDEAL for the island lover that Bill truly is.  He said “It just screams home to me!”  Bill is “looking forward to opening a real Philadelphia style deli in OC”, but for now just content paying as many visits to Ocean City as he can each year!

I decided that an important question to ask our OC Insider was about his favorite part of the city.

“18th Street area will always be my lifetime favorite because that’s where I grew up so to speak.  As I’ve grown older, I love the fact that I can be in the area and not have to be in OC proper. Essentially, you can escape over the 50 or 90 bridge and get out of the circus, yet still have the sense of being at the seashore with some peace and quiet!!!!!”

Bill elaborated on his love for West Ocean City, an amazing little part of town that seems to be rather unexplored by all the OC Visitors each year.  Bill prides himself on being a member of the Ocean City Marlin Club, which he said “endeavors to create an interest in OCMD’s sport fishing and promotes the conservation of the sea and her creatures.”  The Marlin Club is tucked away in the commercial harbor on Golf Course Road and is a private club you must apply and be accepted for. 

A hop skip and a jump away is Harborside Bar and Grille where you can stop in for a fresh squeezed Orange Crush and sit back and enjoy the tunes of a few local OC musicians!  Harborside is situated right on the harbor and and shares it’s views with all the commercial fishing boats sitting at dock.  Bill said to stop in for, “great happy hour, entertainment and food.  It’s tucked away from the craziness during the summer” for an enjoyable afternoon!

I asked Bill who some of his favorite Ocean City musicians were, since music and sound seem to be a major part of his life as well!  He told me, “I really enjoy Full Circle, Kevin Poole, John LaMere, Christopher Button.  I am long time friends with DJ Batman. I love Ocean 98 and listen to the station everyday.  When I’m in town, he’ll have me on air with him either on his Saturday or Sunday version of the Hair of the Dog Show. I really look forward to that as I was on the radio as a DJ and a club DJ as well back in the mid-late 80s.”

So next time you’re in town, make sure to remember all the OC Insider advice from Bill.  Roll the windows down and head west across the Route 50 bridge while jamming to 98.1 IRIE radio.  Make the left turn down Golf Course Road and check out Harborside Bar and Grill, Sunset Grille, The Shark, Crab Alley or even Captain’s Galley.  The harbor is loaded with history and delicious places to eat!  Not to mention always check out Harbor Day at the Docks which is a great event geared towards teaching you the tradition of fishing, techniques for cooking your fresh catches and fun children’s activities! 

If you can’t make it into town fast enough, I suggest you grab your own copy of The Sounds of Ocean City, Md and keep those memories fresh!

You can find Bill on the OC Insiders - Ask an Expert section of the official Ocean City webpage.  Not to mention you can stop into his Sounds of Ocean City Facebook page and I am sure he would LOVE to answer any questions you may have about your next visit to Ocean City, Maryland! 

And of course you can find Meaghan on the Holiday Inn Suites Facebook page.