Vacationers make their way to Ocean City for Labor Day weekend

OCEAN CITY, Md.- It’s time to clock out from the work week and clock into Labor Day weekend, and some beachgoers, like Cynthia Garcia, already made their way to Ocean City to kick off the holiday fun.

“I love the beach; I love that there are restaurants all around and shops,” Garcia said. “It’s great and people are very friendly here.”

Every year, vacationers flock to Ocean City to enjoy their long weekend. For the hospitality industry, Susan Jones with the Hotel-Motel Restaurant Association said that means more foot traffic.

“A lot of times at the end of summer, we see a lot of visitors from New York and New Jersey, or from markets where the schools go back after Labor Day,” Jones said.

And with everyone lounging on the beach, Jones said some people have started their weekend a little early.

“Looking at the beach right now, people may have come last night and kicked off their vacation, and perhaps some of those families with little kids may have blown off school today,” Jones said.

With so many things to do in Ocean City, one group of girls packed their schedule full of some fun excursions.

“Our plans are to go on the Ferris Wheel, on the board walk, tonight- maybe do an escape room and go parasailing,” Elizabeth Rohr, one vacationer, said.

Rohr adds those choppy waves aren’t going to stop her and her friends from enjoying the ocean view, high in the sky.

“I’m trying not to think about it,” Rohr said. “I’m a little nervous, but my friends were like ‘Do you want to go parasailing?’ and I said if you guys are confident about it, I’ll be confident about it, too.”

While some visitors may find fun in going up, up and away, others, like Len Midgal, prefer to stay a little closer to shore.

“I have an entire schedule of napping and reading and sitting in the sun,” Midgal said.

If you haven’t made your way to the beach yet, Cynthia Garcia has a message.

“People need to come to Ocean City,” Garcia said. “The beach is great; the restaurants are great, and the people are great. It’s just a great vibe.”