OCEAN CITY, Md. - Engines are revving and chrome is gleaming in Ocean City this week as the 35th Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City event officially gets underway. Running from Thursday, May 1, through Sunday, May 4, the popular car show is expected to bring more than 3,000 hot rods, custom builds, vintage trucks, and classic cars to the resort town.
"It's very exciting. You never know what you're going to see," said longtime attendee Eric Myers. "If you like cars, there's the place to be."
The event’s main hub is the beachside Inlet Parking Lot along the Ocean City Boardwalk, with additional car shows and vendor locations spread throughout town. Among the highlights are the boardwalk parades, held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, where cars cruise from 27th Street south to the Inlet starting at 8 a.m.
The event’s main hub is the beachside Inlet Parking Lot.
Although the event is back and bigger than ever, one noticeable change caught the attention of longtime participants. Due to a scheduling conflict with the Beachfest Volleyball Tournament, organizers moved the traditional secondary location from the Roland E. Powell Convention Center to 49th Street.
"The convention center—that was, I really had a problem with that," said Diane Ciotto, who brought her 1971 Chevy Nova to the event. Despite the change, she said she’s enjoying the show overall.
The 49th Street lot is now home to the event’s swap meet, running Thursday through Saturday, where vendors offer car parts, collectibles, and memorabilia. This year also introduces a new indoor vendor showcase at the Outlets in West Ocean City on Friday and Saturday, offering automotive products, arts and crafts, and specialty items.
Big industry names such as Advance Auto Parts, AMSOIL, Classic Auto Mall, Chevy Performance, and Edelbrock are featured at the Inlet vendor area on Friday and Saturday, along with the Cruisin’ Vendor Showcase taking place at the West Ocean City Outlets.
Music is also a major draw. On opening night, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees will perform songs and share stories at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center.
Vendor Rob Coffin showcases his 1969 Opel GT and sells everything from Hot Wheels to car parts.
Vendor Rob Coffin, who showcases his 1969 Opel GT and sells everything from Hot Wheels to car parts, said the energy and community keep him coming back year after year. "The classic cars, the hot rods, things like this little Opel—you see all kinds of cars and all kinds of people," Coffin said.
According to Ocean City’s Tourism and Business Development Director, the event is expected to generate between $3 to $5 million in revenue and draw tens of thousands of visitors.
The festivities will wrap up with the Grand Finale Awards on Sunday at the Inlet, where more than 500 trophies, plaques, and giveaways will be handed out.
Cruisin’ Ocean City continues through the weekend—so there’s still time to take a stroll down memory lane, one classic car at a time.
A Special Event Zone is in effect throughout Ocean City. Lower speed limits and increased fines for traffic violations are being enforced for the duration of Cruisin OC.
