Fun was had by all at the ninth annual O.C.Toberfest, October 23-24-25, 2020, social distanced style!  To kick off the weekend, Friday night, Halloween fireworks filled the sky above beach near North Division Street.

Throughout the weekend over 5,000 experienced all the thrills of the giant Halloween Beach Maze!  Children of all ages could enjoy a pleasant scream as they meandered the sands of the giant, bigger and better than ever, beach maze! Wicked witches, pirates of the sand, scary scarecrows, ghouls in the graveyard, creepy clowns, zombies and more added to the excitement. While walking through the maze families could play the mask game and look for characters throughout the maze wearing a mask.  The correct answer was 8!

Another event that took place as part of the O.C.Toberfest events was the “Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade” on the boardwalk near North Division Street. Close to 200 pets showed up dressed in their best costumes, including dogs, cats, a mini pony, a chicken, lizards and even a ferret!  Participants traveled from 6 states plus Washington DC. Lots of trophies were awarded.  Some of the crowd favorites included Chris & Katie Hauser from Middle River MD, dressed as The Tiger King and Carol Baskin with all of their “tigers,” Sadie the golden retriever from Allentown PA dressed as Fisher’s Popcorn, Oshie the Chihuahua from Annapolis MD dressed as Tom Wilson in the penalty box, Layla, Jynx & Stitch, 2 cats and a dog, from Reedsville PA dressed as bathing beauties and Ricky Clark, the pug, from Forest Hill MD dressed as a pilot in his plane.  While the event was free to participate, donations of pet supplies and monetary donations were be collected for the Worcester Humane Society. A complete list of winners can be found online, OCtoberfestMD.com.

After the Pet Parade participants and spectators could sit back and watch the decorated cars parade down the boardwalk for the Drive and Disguise.  The parade ended in the Inlet parking lot with lots of Trunk or Treating!

Saturday evening families could enjoy a spooktacular drive-in movie, featuring Hocus Pocus in the Inlet Parking Lot with lots of yummy boardwalk snacks. 

The fun continued with “The Great Pumpkin Race” on Sunday.  Even the rain and wind couldn’t stop these pumpkin racers!  There were 27 race cars who competed in this wacky and zany side-by-side down hill race. Taking home first place in the Junior Division was Josh Smith from Bishopville MD driving Bone,  2^nd place went to Tyler Shilling from Hampstead MD driving Tow Mater and 3^rd place went to Kelton & Keigan Carl from Crofton MD driving Pikachu.  Taking home first place in the adult division was Ken and Michelle Nutwell from Newburg MD driving the Dino Dragster, 2^nd place went to Zachary Hilbert from North Versailles PA driving the Spooky Cat with working lights, and 3^rd place went to Frank Shilling from Hampstead MD driving Crabby Pop Pop. Trophies were also awards for creativity and designs!

All O.C.Toberfest events were free thanks to the generous sponsorship by the Ocean City Mayor and City Council along with the Department of Tourism and Hotel Motel Restaurant Association.