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Town of Ocean City, MD

News Release

Media contact: Donna Abbott

410-723-8609

April 18, 2011

Kick off the season with a visit to Springfest 2011 

Ocean City, MD -- Springfest celebrates spring and the upcoming summer season Thursday through Sunday, May 5-8, with delicious food, live entertainment, and unique arts and crafts in and around four big top tents located in the Inlet Lot at the south end of Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk.

Ocean City’s 21st annual Springfest will serve up a continuous variety of musical performances on two stages throughout the event. Admission to the four-day event is free. 

All entertainment is free with the exception of the headline acts. On Friday, May 6 country legend George Jones stars on the Springfest stage at 8 p.m.  Tickets range from $20 to $50. On Saturday, May 7, 80s sensation Richard Marx with full orchestra performs at 8 p.m. with tickets ranging from $20 to $40.

Tickets are now on sale at the Convention Center Box Office. Box office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; or you can order tickets by calling TicketMaster at 800-551-7328 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

New this year, evening entertainment on Thursday, May 5 will be the first Local Band Jam, a free show featuring outstanding talent from the Ocean City area, including Kevin Poole and the Gang, Crowded Outhouse, Moodswingers with Lauren Glick, Dave Sherman, No Byscuyts and Opposite Directions.

On Sunday at 3:30 p.m., a special concert by Radio Disney band Kicking Daisies and an appearance by Disney star Roshon Fegan of Camp Rock and Shake it Up! fame will fill the entertainment tent. The popular James Gallagher and Off the Boat will perform a free show at 4:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage. In between, Springfest also serves up a variety of free local and regional musical entertainment. 

Over 30 vendors will serve a variety of delicious food, while 180 Springfest artisans will delight with their art and craft creations.

Springfest is open rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May 5 through Saturday, May 7 and on Sunday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A special welcoming ceremony will be held on the outdoor stage on Thursday at 10 a.m. featuring Ocean City Elementary School’s OC Stars. 

Travel to Springfest with ease by taking the bus. Ocean City offers a ride-all-day fare, which enables you to get on and off as often as you want for $3 ride all day or $1 per boarding. Satellite parking areas are available with Park ‘N Ride bus service. Park ‘N Ride locations include the West Ocean City Park & Ride, just off Rt. 50 in West Ocean City (shuttle bus $1); Public Safety Building, 65th Street; Gold Coast Mall, 115th Street; and Northside Park, 125th Street (walk to 125th Street bus stop on Coastal Highway). Parking is free at these locations. Extra buses will be in use during the festival and will pick up passengers at any bus stop along Coastal Highway. All bus passengers will be dropped off at the Transit Center on South Division Street, just across the Boardwalk from Springfest. If you require assistance with handicapped transportation, call 410-723-1607. 

The Ocean City Transportation Division also offers the Springfest Express Shuttle. The town’s trolleys will offer an express shuttle (no stops) to Springfest from the Convention Center’s south parking lot on 40th St.

The cost is $3, ride-all-day or $1 per boarding, same as the regular bus fare. Parking is free at the Convention Center south lot. Trolleys will depart the lot every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. until 30 minutes following the end of the evening’s last concert, Thursday through Saturday, and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Springfest Express Shuttle offers convenient service for festival attendees traveling from the northern part of town.

For more information about Springfest, call Recreation and Parks at 410-250-0125 or the Dept. of Tourism at 1-800-OC-OCEAN. You can also visit www.ococean.com.