The Country Calling Festival will kick off tomorrow, Friday, October 4, 2024. This two-day music festival will take over the inlet on Friday and Saturday. The Ocean City Police Department will implement an alternate traffic pattern in the downtown area in anticipation of increased pedestrian congestion each evening.

The alternate traffic pattern will begin around 8 p.m. daily to assist with traffic flow, OC Beach Buses, and pedestrians trying to leave after the festival. Here is what you can expect in the evening hours:

• Traffic will be prohibited from traveling south of N. Division Street.
• The south turn lane off the US Route 50 bridge onto Philadelphia Avenue will only be restricted to emergency vehicles, mass transit vehicles, and residents.
• Vehicles will be diverted onto N. Division Street and then north on Baltimore Avenue.
• A traffic pattern will be established to direct all southbound traffic on St. Louis Avenue to 2nd Street, then towards Philadelphia Avenue.

• • Southbound traffic on St. Louis Avenue will be restricted to emergency vehicles, residents, employees, and patrons of downtown businesses.
• Northbound traffic on Baltimore Avenue from S. Division Street to Talbot Street will be reduced to one lane for vehicle traffic.
  • Left Lane will be designated for vehicle traffic.
  • Middle Lane will be utilized to stage mass transit vehicles for passenger arrival.
  • Right Lane will be designated as a safety lane.

All traffic patterns and closures are scheduled after 8 p.m. each festival day to be fully in place for the event’s conclusion. The traffic patterns will be implemented to allow for the maximum number of mass transit vehicles and provide plenty of space for pedestrians to exit the venue area. The traffic pattern will resume normal after the downtown area is cleared of festival goers.

We want to remind residents and visitors that the OC Beach Bus will operate in a reduced stop, express service mode to expedite crowd movement during and after the festival. Specific stops will be inactive during the three-day weekend. Riders needing special mobility assistance may coordinate pickups by calling Dispatch at (410) 723 1606 and may coordinate dropoffs directly with their driver.

For a map depicting the stops that will be in use and for additional travel details during the festival, see https://support.countrycallingfestival.com/hc/en-us/articles/24640732669204-How-do-I-get-to-the-festival?

Finally, remember always to walk smart. Cross at and within marked crosswalks, follow all traffic signals, and use the sidewalks. Always bike smart. Use designated bike lanes, follow all traffic signals, and ride with traffic. Always drive smart. Slow down, stay alert, and drive sober.

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