Bowtie Bonanza at the Beach
By Chuck Vranas – Photography by the Author
There’s no better way to kick off the outdoor event season than topping off the tank and heading out to the promised land where wicked amounts of horsepower get a chance to mingle with sun and surf for the ultimate performance car weekend. Devoted Chevy fans who live for hopped-up mills, packing everything from supercharged big-blocks to turbocharged LS V-8s, got everything they hoped for while attending the 32nd Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City event held in Ocean City, Maryland. If you want to experience the fun-meter dialed to the max, the quaint little seaside community was the place to be, with well over 3,000 registered car and truck owners pulling into town to cruise the 10-mile strip and dig just what makes the event so very special.
Nothing is more welcoming than the sight of endless manicured beaches accented by the sounds of surf while checking out numerous old-school amusement rides along with arcades and plenty of food vendors commanding your full attention with scents you’ll remember since you were knee-high to a Camaro bumper.
With credentials in hand after checking into the Convention Center, it’s a short hop over to the “Inlet,” which serves as the epicenter for the weekend’s festivities. Accommodating up to 1,500 of the region’s coolest muscle cars, classic trucks, hot rods, and classics, it’s easy to go into sensory overload thanks to all the blinding chrome and candy coatings shimmering under the sun. Thanks to all the exciting mini events happening across the strip throughout the weekend, the parking turns over regularly, giving everyone a chance to stop in and visit.
Easily one of the most sought-after tickets is getting a chance to participate in an early morning cruise down the historic boardwalk while being cheered on by an endless stream of fans.
Still want more? There were also plenty of events to hit across town at a number of venues, including the Convention Center, Grand Prix, Seacrets, Northside Pit & Pub, Green Turtle, Jay’s Café, Gold Coast Mall, and Papi’s Tacos, to check out. With most events calling it quits by the end of the day, it’s time to refill the tank, grab a burger, and head out on the strip while huge crowds line the sidewalks to check it all out well into the night. The promoters generate even more excitement with special celebrity guests, numerous trophy award ceremonies, and scheduled entertainment. This is one show that always reaches capacity well in advance so plan ahead for next year.
Check it all out at specialeventpro.com.
