Ocean City gears up for WinterFest of Lights, tourism bump

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Ocean City is gearing up for its Winterfest of Lights event at Northside Park.

Special events Coordinators Brenda Moore and Frank Miller tell us this year’s event is taking cues from what people loved last year, with a walking trail that spans 56 acres of the park. They say the change will bring in visitors and boost businesses.

“It’s a big weekend for us on a given night we could have between 6 to 9 thousand people come through our event alone,” Moore said.

Miller tells us many of those visitors are staying in area hotels, and are letting them know why they’re in town.

“The local businesses have always loved this event it does come at a time when they need the extra revenue and they are very happy we are a walking even this year because it means the guests that are coming into hotels are telling them they are happy it’s a walking event,” Miller said.

Rentals are also seeing a bump according to Susan Jones of the Ocean City Hotel Motel restaurant association.

“I was at a town council meeting yesterday speaking to a condo owner and they are telling me the advance reservations for thanksgiving weekend are almost at 90 percent full,” Jones said.

Jones tells us the event sees traffic from DC, Philly, and Baltimore. She tells us that even those who don’t spend a night, still have a big impact, by visiting not just the park, but also the Christmas parade, and the holiday shopping fair as well as local restaurants.

“It drives big groups, there are tour companies that bring buses in to see the event, and when you mix that in with other events in the region it gives people a whole weekend of activities,” she said.

Miller tells us, while the economic impact is important, he also wants to bring some joy and say thanks to all those who visit Ocean City year-round.

“One of the great things about Winterfest of lights is if you had a tough year you come here and walk around this path and you absolutely will leave in the holiday spirit after winter fest,” he said.

The event will run for 42 days, Wednesday through Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.