Attendees of 53rd White Marlin Open Celebrate at MarlinFest

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The world’s largest billfish tournament has returned to Ocean City and longtime attendees of the event have returned for another week of festivities. The 53rd Annual White Marlin Open runs from Aug. 3rd to Aug. 8th, and while the boats are on the water looking for their winning fish, celebrations such as MarlinFest are being enjoyed on land.

Nancy and Dennis Julian have attended the White Marlin Open almost every year since the begging. The atmosphere of the event has had them return almost every season.

“The excitement of everything.” Said Dennis. “And especially when the boats come in, it’s so cool to watch them come in like that and cheering them on.”

MarlinFest features a variety of vendors, food and drinks, live music, and even a live streamed watch-party for weigh-ins. This festival offers a unique way to enjoy one of the most popular weeks in Ocean City.

For some at the festival, such as Captain Shannon Pickens, the event brings a sense of nostalgia.

“This is my second or third year on land, but I’ve been fishing this for a long time, and I’ve been coming down here since I was a kid watching.” Said Capt. Pickens.

Attendees and anglers aren’t the only one who enjoy White Marlin, even staff, such as Dennis Norwood, get the opportunity to get up-close with all the excitement.

“I just love coming down.” Said Norwood. “For me, it’s like almost. It’s like a paid vacation because it’s a week off just from my normal job, I got to come down here. I do, I work at scales or for registration Saturday and Sunday, and then I’m here for the rest of the week.”

Make sure to follow WMDT’s Sports Team for continued coverage on the White Marlin Open and updates from the scales.