Ocean City Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland is primarily a tourist resort, with a population that swells from less than 10,000 winter residents to over 2 million in the summer months. The Ocean City Inlet did not exist until1933, when the Chesapeake Potomac Hurricane tore thru the narrow island, separating Ocean City from Assateague Island. The Army Corps of Engineers stabilized the inlet making the town among the top mid-Atlantic fishing ports. The access to productive fishing grounds brought not only commercial fishing but recreational fishing, mostly boats that fish offshore for tuna, sharks, billfish and bottom fish.

Assateague Island is a pristine area along the coast of Maryland and Virginia. The majority of the Maryland parcel of the island lies within Assateague National Seashore. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge includes roughly 400 acres property within the state of Maryland.

The coast, marshes, wildflowers, fields and areas of brush on Assateague provide ideal nesting and feeding habitat. Other songbirds inhabit the tall pine forests there. Warblers, nut hatches, sparrows, red wing blackbirds and others nest in the summer, while cardinals, jays, woodpeckers and finches reside there during the winter months.

Herons, egrets, ibises, oyster crackers, march hens and other shorebirds are frequently spotted along the marshes. On the beaches, dozens of species of sandpipers, plovers, gulls and terns feed, nest and raise chicks.

One of the most popular water activities is surf fishing on Assateague Island. Surf fishing is inexpensive, peaceful and usually requires simple tackle. Surf Fishermen can reach the surf on foot with a 4 wheel drive vehicle in designated areas.

In 2008, Ocean City began the "Harbor Day - At The Docks," festival, a family friendly program highlighting Ocean City's important local maritime culture and traditions, including both commercial and sport fishing heritage. The program is held along the waterfront and parking lot adjacent to Sunset Avenue in West Ocean City. The festival has exhibitor's tents, educational displays, small stages for demonstrations and access to commercial and sport fishing boats.

The event focuses on maritime traditions such as commercial fishing, sport fishing, marine aquaculture, safety at sea and local seafood processing. Highlights included seafood cooking demonstrations, fish cleaning techniques, net mending, marlin rigging, children's games and many other local maritime related topics. Local artists and musicians also attend, offering goods and showcasing their talents.

In November of 2009, one of the worst storms to ever hit Ocean City occured. The storm, known as Nor Ida, lasted 3 days and had wind gusts up to 75 mph.