Ocean City – Get ready for one of the hottest hot rod shows on the East Coast, the 29th Annual Cruisin Ocean City, as it returns to the beachside resort town of Ocean City Maryland, May 16-17-18-19, 2019. This nationally recognized event attracts more than 3,000 customs, hot rods, street machines, classics and more from over 20 states plus Canada. While the main events take place at the beachside Inlet Parking Lot and the Ocean City Convention Center there will be various citywide locations plus events at the US 13 Dragway in Delmar DE.
Scheduled to appear at this year’s Cruisin, Catherine Bach, best known for her role as Daisy Duke from the Dukes of Hazzard. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Dukes of Hazzard with Catherine Bach and the General Lee show car! Catherine will be at the OC Convention Center Friday 11-4 and the Beachside Inlet on Saturday 11-4. Also scheduled to appear, from the hit show Counting Cars, meet Ryan Evans! Ryan will be at the Beachside Inlet on Friday 11-4 and inside the OC Convention Center Saturday 11-4. Additional entertainment includes live music by Mook Jones and Ben Fuller, BINGO, Seaside Jimmy, Cruisin Gold Deejay, the 5th Annual Pin Up Contest, a Neon & LED light car show and much more.
Taking the stage of the Ocean City Performing Arts Center during Cruisin Ocean City is Grammy Award Winner and Country Music Legend Joe Diffie, Thursday May 16, 2019. With 12 #1 hits including “Home,” “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock from the Sun” and “John Deere Green” this is a show you won’t want to miss! Opening for Joe Diffie will be none other than Maryland Native and viral sensation Jackson Dean! Winner of the Maryland Music Award for Best Songwriter and Best New Breakout Artist, Jackson recently gained recognition for his rendition of the National Anthem. All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster, 1-800-551-SEAT or on online at DelmarvaConcerts.com.
New this year an additional location will be added to Cruisin at the US 13 Dragway, in Delmar DE, just a quick drive from OC MD. Events will take place Friday and Saturday night during Cruisin weekend including Jet Dragsters, No Prep racing, burnout contests, test & tunes, car shows and lots more! For more information visit TakinittotheStrip.com or call #302-846-3911. Gates at the US 13 Dragway open at 4pm Friday May 17th and Saturday May 18th.
Another new event for Cruisin 2019 will be the Cruisin Car Corral, Thursday & Friday inside the OC Convention Center, where show cars that are for sale will be on display. Pick up a new ride just in time for the summer! For more information call 410-871-8381 or email info@cruisinclassicauctions.com
Some of the country’s top national names will be showcasing their products in manufacturers midway at the Inlet Parking Lot including Advance Auto Parts, Advantage Lifts, AMSOIL, Barrett-Jackson, Classic Auto Mall, COMP Performance, Covercraft Car Covers, CVF Racing, Detroit Speed, Flaming River, GEICO, Grundy Insurance, Krietz Auto, McQueen Classics, Miller Electric, Mothers Polish, Pinnacle Concrete, QA1, Ride Tech, Ron Francis Wiring, Summit Racing, Sundance Vacations, TREMEC, Truck’n America and Wissel & Walsh and, plus at the OC Convention Center there will be Pioneer Pole Buildings and Treasured Motorcar Services as well vendors both inside and outside selling automotive merchandise along with arts & crafts, jewelry, t-shirts and many other specialty items. There will also be a Swap Meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday inside the Convention Center. Additional vendors will be at the US 13 Dragway location.
Inside the OC Convention Center on Thursday, Friday and Saturday be sure to check out the Artwork Contender Showcase where select cars compete to be on the artwork for the 30th Anniversary Cruisin 2020. Spectators can vote for their favorite vehicle. Also on display inside the OC Convention Center will be the General Lee Show Car and the wild custom 73 Buick Riviera featured on the hit show Counting Cars. Both vehicles will be on display Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm.
Additional Cruisin Ocean City highlights are the special Boardwalk Parades that will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Cars will cruise south from 26th street along the beautiful boardwalk and into the Inlet parking lot starting at 8am.
On Sunday the Grand Finale Awards will take place at the Beachside Inlet at 2pm. Before Cruisin comes to an end there will be more than 500 trophies, plaques and awards presented plus over 3,000 giveaways.
There is so much to see and do at this year’s event, make sure to mark your calendars for May 16-17-18-19, 2019 and cruise on down to Ocean City Maryland for the 29th Annual Cruisin Ocean City. Spectator tickets are $10 a day for Thursday and Sunday and $15 a day for Friday and Saturday, good at the Inlet and Convention Center. Children under 14 are free with an adult. Show hours are 9am-5pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday at both the Inlet and Convention Center and 9am-3pm Sunday at the Inlet location only with the Grand Finale Awards starting at 2pm on the Inlet stage. For additional information visit www.cruisinoceancity.com or call 410-798-6304.
And if all of that isn’t enough, there’s more! Cruisin OC and US 13 Dragway have teamed up for Takin’ It to the Strip, May 17 & 18 at the U.S. 13 Dragway in Delmar DE. This event will feature a “No Prep Shootout” Friday, “King of the Strip” Showdown Saturday plus Burnout Contests, Jet Dragsters from Larsen’s Motorpsorts, Vendors and Car Shows both nights. Friday night meet and greet Ryan Evans from Counting Cars and Saturday night meet and greet Catherine Bach from The Dukes of Hazzard! Events are open to vehicles of all years and makes. Gates open at 4pm each day. Spectator tickets are $20 and will be sold at the U.S. 13 Dragway. Children under 14 are free with an adult. For more information and a complete schedule of events visit takinittothestrip.com or call 302-846-3911.
Another evening event added to Cruisin is a Party Under the Stars, Friday night at the Ocean Downs Casino. Golden Touch will take the stage from 7pm-10pm playing your favorite hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Plus the 5th Annual Pin-Up Pageant will take place at 8pm. Check out the exclusive cars that will be on display and enjoy all the casino has to offer!
Saturday night make sure to check out the Trimper Amusement’s Family Fun Night from 8pm-10pm. There will be a deejay, select rides will be open, a Neon & LED Car show plus lots of give-aways and fun. Boy Scout Troup 261 will be on site for the “Dollar Makes a Difference Car Show” where you can vote for your favorite vehicle with all donations going to the Boy Scouts.
Special Event Zone on Coastal Highway Tuesday, May 14
Starting Tuesday, May 14, through Sunday, May 19, Coastal Highway and Philadelphia Avenue (MD-528) will be designated as a Special Event Zone during the Cruisin’ Ocean City event. Speeds will be reduced in the Special Event Zone and violators will face increased fines.
In April 2018, Governor Larry Hogan signed the Special Event Zone bill into law, which allowed the State Highway Administration, at the request of a local authority, to designate areas on state highways in Worcester County as a special event zone. This reduces established speed limits in the zone and allows a local authority to designate a city-owned road as a special event zone. Fines for violators exceeding posted speed limits are increased in special event zones.
Thousands of car enthusiasts are expected in Ocean City for the 29th Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City event and citizens should expect to see a large police presence. Officers from allied agencies will be assisting the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD), including the Maryland State Police, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police.
Officers will be strictly enforcing all traffic laws. Additionally, spectators are urged to keep the sidewalks clear for pedestrian traffic and should not incite the spinning of wheels or “burn-outs” by motorists. Officers will enforce all laws for spectators who incite drivers, as well as cite drivers for these violations. Further, with high pedestrian traffic expected, pedestrians are urged to Walk Smart! and always use crosswalks when crossing roadways. Wait for the signal to change and be sure that drivers see you while crossing.
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