Ocean City Expecting Huge Crowds Memorial Weekend
OCEAN CITY, Md. (WJZ)—Thousands of people are expected to cross the Bay Bridge and head to Ocean City this weekend.
Gigi Barnett reports the long holiday weekend is big for business.
On the road to Ocean City, the swarm of state troopers is thick, catching drivers in a rush.
Gas prices are up, and the economy is still down. But the promise of sunshine and sand this weekend is enough to lure thousands to the boardwalk.
"A few dollars more wouldn't influence a trip to the beach," said one holiday traveler.
And that is exactly what Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan expects all summer long.
"Beach patrol officially goes on duty tomorrow morning," Meehan said. "That's the official start to the summer season. We're expecting big crowds. In fact, the crowds are already building."
The serenade on the boardwalk is sweet. So are the treats.
This weekend is the unofficial start of the traditional summer travel season. The boardwalk will be congested with more than 250,000 visitors this holiday weekend, all with favorite destinations once they arrive.
"Ripley's Believe It Or Not, definitely," said Victoria D' Amore, Ocean City visitor. "I'm so excited to go tomorrow."
Since Ocean City officials are expecting hundreds of visitors this weekend, they stress going early and leaving late. That way you stay out of traffic and on the beach longer.
Believe it or not, the Memorial Day weekend is not the most popular time to travel down to the ocean. The boardwalk will see more than 300,000 visitors on the Fourth of July weekend.
