Ocean City

Each month during the bustling summer season, upwards of 300,000 tourists make their way through Ocean City . While some are regulars who've vacationed here, forever, just as many are newbies who are eagerly discovering the charms of this resort town. And it's fairly safe to say both groups have probably heard a few rumors, legends and lore about Ocean City . Is Rodney, the hunky lifeguard, really rescuing swimmers or is he a model? (Ahem, our lips are sealed). Does Mayor Rick Meehan get chauffeured around town?

Summer may have started a while back, but July is when things really pick up in Ocean City. Accordingly, the town has a ton of free programs in July. Here is a calendar, so you know what there is to do for free in O.C. each day of the week: Family Fun Olympics: Everyone will be in the Olympic spirit once the games start at the end of July. So, join in the fun with free competitive events for families. Events to include tug of war, relays, castles contests and other friendly competitions.

After two pedestrians died and 13 were injured last summer on Ocean City streets, city officials and the State Highway Administration devised a campaign to get motorists and those on foot to be more aware of each other. The effort includes highly visible markings on crosswalks and signs directing pedestrians to them and retimed traffic signals to get vehicles to slow down. “Ocean City is one of Maryland's largest cities all summer, but every week there's turnover and a new population,” said Melinda Peters, SHA administrator.

If you go The 20th annual Crusin' Ocean City Car Show runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10; children under 14 are admitted free with an adult. For more information, call 410-798-6304 or go to cruisinoceancity.com Getting there Driving: Take Interstate 95 to I-695, then to I-97 South; merge onto U.S. 50 East and follow it to the Bay Bridge and Ocean City. Bus: Ocean City has a Greyhound bus terminal. Lodgings: Call 800-OCOCEAN or go to ococean.

A street performer is suing Ocean City , alleging that he has been harrassed and his First Amendment rights violated by an ordinance banning him from setting up at North Division Street and the Boardwalk. The performer, artist Mark Chase, who uses spray paint to create paintings, said in his complaint that the city was acting in retaliation, according to a report in The Dispatch . The City Council has cited safety concerns as the reason for restricting access to the area.

OC Air Show What: The F-22 Raptor and AV-8B Harrier demo teams share the skies at the OC Air Show this summer, honoring the event's theme "Year of Extreme Flight. " The fun kicks off Ocean City's start of summer and takes place across the beaches and the boardwalk. This year's air show highlights include ace pilot Chuck Aaron, flyovers by a B-2 stealth bomber and the Red Bull Helicopter, and the Red Bull Air Force, one of the most extreme parachute teams in the world.

We're several days into the fall season and the sun seems to have disappeared. So I think that's my cue to pack up the beach towels, shake off the sand, wean myself off the taffy and caramel corn die t, grab a few souvenirs and take this OC blog on hiatus. It's been a terribly exciting summer season in Ocean City . The resort town has been in the news for all the right - and some wrong - reasons. We've had visits from a hurricane, a tornado, the Dew Tour and the Jersey Shore!

We're more than half-way through the month of June and with each day that goes, Ocean City deals begin to slip away. These deals are only good for June - they're just teasers to get you jazzed up for beach season. Still, there's no reason to pass on savings wherever you find them. Below are some deals that will help you get to the beach for the rest of the month. Most require advance booking and it doesn't hurt to ask for the Rodney Rate . Get 'em before they're gone. Beach Bum Motel: Get 50 percent off on Sundays, when you stay Friday and Saturday.

Make a reservation today and you could be horseback riding on Ocean City's beachfront by the weekend. The city's town council late Monday passed a proposal to allow horseback riding in the off-season, from Nov. 1 to March 30. Visitors will need to secure a permit at a cost of $50 for each horse, limited to two riders.  Additional riders could be added for $25.  At Monday's meeting, council members said they will also offer a $20...

No matter how teeny weeny the size of some bikinis, Ocean City beaches are not clothing optional. You gotta wear, well, something. You can't parade around the sand dunes completely nude or else you end up in a police report. That's what allegedly happened to Brendan Ohare, 36, (at his age, he really should know better), according to the Ocean City Police Department. At 9:26 a.m. on Monday, police responded to a report of a nude male in the public beach area near 140th and Wight streets.