Visiting Ocean City for Memorial Day weekend? Here's everything you need to know

Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times
·6 min read

It’s time to dig through your closet for red, white, and blue beach attire — Memorial Day weekend has arrived.

Here is a beach guide for your three-day-weekend in Ocean City.

What is Memorial Day celebrating?

The true meaning behind Memorial Day can be overshadowed by family picnics, colorful parades and trips to the pool. Before you begin grilling, take a moment to recognize its meaning and honor United States military members and veterans.

The federal holiday, celebrated annually on the last Monday of May, is dedicated to the memory of the brave men and women who lost their lives while serving their country.

For those in search of meaningful Memorial Day traditions, start with pausing for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. The National Moment of Remembrance, created by Congress in 2000, is an annual event designed to mourn fallen soldiers.

Other traditions you may choose to take part in include:

  • Flying a flag.

  • Thanking a veteran.

  • Wearing a red poppy.

  • Writing a letter to a soldier.

  • Visiting a local veterans’ cemetery.

  • Decorating a soldier’s grave.

No matter how you chose to spend your day, it is crucial to recall why it is celebrated.

What’s the weather forecast for Memorial Day?

Stock up on sunscreen, as the sun will be out for the majority of Memorial Day weekend.

Scattered thunderstorms are possible Saturday, but rain should clear up relatively quickly heading into Sunday. Partly sunny conditions are predicted Sunday and Monday, according to The Weather Channel. Water temperatures in Ocean City remain fairly cold, ranging from 50 to 60 degrees.

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This weather forecast will be updated as changes arise.

Summer kickoff celebration

UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled due to weather Friday. The event will now take place at 11 a.m. Monday.

The town will hold a ceremony in honor of Memorial Day, marking the official start to the 2022 summer season.

Those who choose to attend will see two sky jumpers soaring through the sky, delivering the American and Ocean City flags safely to the beach. This experience will take place at North Division Street and the Boardwalk.

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Visit Assateague

Looking to get away from the crowds on Coastal Highway? Look no further than Assateague Island, located 8 miles south of Ocean City.

Spend your daytrip to Assateague camping, watching wild ponies, or gathering around a bonfire. With miles of bike paths, unspoiled beaches, and undisturbed natural habitats, the island is the ideal spot for serene familial gatherings or solo adventures.

"We partner with all of these museums and historic sites and attractions," said Lisa Challenger, interim executive director of Beach to Bay Heritage Area. "Our mission is essentially to protect, preserve and promote the natural historical and cultural resources here on the Lower Shore."
"We partner with all of these museums and historic sites and attractions," said Lisa Challenger, interim executive director of Beach to Bay Heritage Area. "Our mission is essentially to protect, preserve and promote the natural historical and cultural resources here on the Lower Shore."

Keep in mind Photo IDs must be at the ready, along with your signed entrance pass, when approaching the entrance booths. Cards will not be scanned.

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Seven-day vehicle entrance passes are $25, or guests can opt to purchase an annual pass, valid for one year from purchase, for $45. A seven-day, individual entrance pass costs $15. One-day admission passes will cost $5 per person and last until 4 p.m., starting from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) permits may be purchased at the island’s Ranger Station from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. OSV permit stickers must be placed on the inside of the windshield, either to the lower left or right corner.

Beach safety

The Ocean City Beach Patrol is back on duty beginning Saturday, May 28. Members will be guarding the beach from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.

Christian Ellis, a first year member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, signals to fellow lifeguards on July 4, 2019.
Christian Ellis, a first year member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, signals to fellow lifeguards on July 4, 2019.

As you head to the beach, the Beach Patrol asks you keep in mind important sand safety tips. When digging a hole, always make sure it is no deeper than the knees of the shortest person in your group.

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Sand is very unstable and can collapse at any given moment. If someone falls into a hole, they risk being trapped. Collapses have proven to be deadly, as sand weighs about 100 to 112 pounds per cubic foot.

Always remain diligent when walking on the beach, as some beachgoers will dig holes but forget to fill them in. Refilling holes is necessary for the safety of all.

As the summer season dawns on Ocean City, the Beach Patrol also reminds beachgoers to keep their feet in the sand until the lifeguard is in the stand.

What to expect at restaurants

For the past two years, many Ocean City businesses, both big and small, have struggled to recruit and retain seasonal employees. The town, which requires about 12,000 seasonal workers annually, is asking visitors to pack their patience this summer season.

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Now, expect to see restaurants moving at a much slower pace this holiday weekend as severe labor shortages continue to disrupt the resort town.

Guests may be faced with longer wait times, limited menus and shorter business hours. To combat this, vacationers might choose to cook at their rental property for breakfast, lunch or dinner, saving money and time.

Parking, transportation, road work

Ocean City’s municipal buses traveling along Coastal Highway will adopt their summer schedule Friday, May 27. Buses will arrive at their stops about every 15 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. Bus service will not be available between the hours of 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Standard bus fare is $3 per person for a ride-all-day pass. Children 42 inches in height or under, senior resident bus pass holders and ADA Certified Disabled card holders may ride for free.

People take a ride on the tram as it drives on the boardwalk Friday, April 29, 2022, in Ocean City, Maryland.
People take a ride on the tram as it drives on the boardwalk Friday, April 29, 2022, in Ocean City, Maryland.

The Boardwalk tram service’s summer schedule goes into effect Friday, May 27. The trams will run from noon to midnight daily. Tram fare is $4 per person, per boarding, for a one way ride up or down the Boardwalk.

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Masks are no longer required on all forms of Maryland public transportation, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation.

Metered parking is in effect throughout town. Paid parking is also available at the following locations: Inlet Lot, Street and Municipal Lot, and West Ocean City Park-n-Ride. For more information, visit the town's website.

According to a post on the Ocean City Police Department’s Facebook page, The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will repair and upgrad traffic signals on Coastal Highway from through June 30.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures on Coastal Highway from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Traffic signal repairs and upgrades will occur at the following locations on Coastal Highway: 17th, 74th, 77th, 81st, 85th, 100th, 118th, 123rd, 127th and 130th streets.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Ocean City MD Memorial Day Weekend 2022: A guide to the beach town