32nd annual Spring Fest brings thousands to Ocean City, businesses expand customer base

OCEAN CITY, Md.- For the 32nd time, Ocean City Spring Fest made its way to the resort town and organizers say this year is bigger than ever.  “It really is something to smile about and somewhere to smile about and that’s Spring Fest,” OC Special Events Department Coordinator Heather Wiles said.

Nearly 300 vendors, live music, food, and an ocean view made Spring Fest 2023 the perfect destination for locals and visitors.

The Ocean City Special Events Department calling the event the unofficial kickoff to the summer reason. “Typically, beach boardwalk season is June through August. What we do with events like Spring Fest is we increase that season,” Special Events Director Frank Miller said.

By Sunday, Miller says the event had already seen upwards of 85,000 people.

He adds that it’s an all hands on deck effort with help from several town departments. “In exchange, we make sure that we’re trying to fill hotel rooms and other businesses,” Miller said.

Amongst the many artisans was Katherine Kiss, owner of Miss Kiss & Co. Most of the paintings and dolls she creates are inspired by marine life and her desire to add a little sparkle in the world.

The event not only expands her customer base but is one of the only avenues for her to make a living. “I used to have a gallery. I closed that and ever since then I just do shows,” Kiss said. “When you do festivals, the atmosphere feels really great and moves through the community.”

Organizers say the population of Ocean City continues to grow and events like Spring Fest gives visitors a reason to keep coming back. “What you get here isn’t just locals, this is truly is a national event,” Miller said.

The event wrapped up Sunday and organizers expect that nearly 100,000 guests attended throughout its four-day run.