Sunfest Weekend Comes To Resort

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City celebrates the start of the fall season with four fantastic days of food, arts and crafts and live music when Sunfest 2007 shines on the resort's Inlet lot, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 20-23.

Ocean City's most popular festival, the 33rd Annual Sunfest, will delight all ages with 180 crafters, live entertainment, hayrides on the beach, children's activities and the 23rd Annual Adeler Jeweler's Treasure Hunt. In and around four big-top tents, there is something for every member of the family to enjoy at this fall celebration.

Sunfest opened with a parade on the Boardwalk yesterday and officially started after a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials.

A key part of Sunfest has been the Adeler Treasure Hunt where participants search for $10,000 in gems. Adults participate in this fun event by digging for gems, which are buried just a few inches under the sand. The treasure hunt takes place on the beach near the entertainment tent on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m.

Headline entertainers still to take the stage are country music's Josh Gracin and Heartland, performing at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 with tickets prices set at $15, $20, $25, $30 and $35, and the legendary Wayne Newton who will be performing to a sold-out crowd on Saturday.

Also, enjoy free performances by The Zim Zemarel Orchestra on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Performers also include FAB Band, Frank and Trish, the Diamonds, Teenage Rust, Sir Rod, the Recreation Line Dancers, Rhythm Kings, Bob Sima, Rick K and the Allnighters, N.O.M.A.D., Phillips Ragtime Band, the Beach Bumz, Rising Sun Reggae Band, Mary Lou and the Untouchables, J.R.Booker, Frankie and the Pack, Georgia Lea and Stone Cold Country, Jesse Garron's Tribute to Elvis, Annie Sidley and RED. All are sure to be a hit.

Admission to the four-day festival is free.

A special kid's activity area will feature pumpkin decorating and many other activities. In addition, Lollipop the Clown will entertain on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m.

Of course, it wouldn't be Sunfest without plenty of delicious Eastern Shore food and this year's event promises more of the tasty fare. Sunfest visitors will enjoy everything from crab cakes to oyster fritters, Philly cheese steaks to Greek gyros and BBQ. The Gourmet Tent is a must try, featuring coffees, fudge, nuts, candies and delicious pastry items.

Also, this year at Sunfest will be 12 demonstrating artists who will dazzle you as they create their artistic designs right before your eyes.

Sunfest hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Sunfest Entertainment Lineup

Friday, Sept. 21

10 a.m.: The Diamonds-Indoor

11 a.m.: Rhythm Kings-Outdoor

Noon: Phillips Ragtime Band-Indoor

1 p.m.: Bob Sima-Outdoor

2 p.m.: Rhythm Kings-Indoor

3 p.m.: The Diamonds-Outdoor

4 p.m.: The Beach Bumz-Indoor

5 p.m.: Rick K & Allnighters-Outdoor

6:30 p.m.: NOMaD-Outdoor

8 p.m.: Josh Gracin & Heartland-Indoor

Saturday, Sept. 22

10 a.m.: Rick K & Allnighters-Indoor

11 a.m.: Rising Sun Reggae Band-Outdoor

Noon: Georgia Lee & Stone Cold Country-Indoor

1 p.m.: Mary Lou & The Untouchables-Outdoor

2 p.m.: The Beach Bumz-Indoor

3 p.m.: Rick K & Allnighters-Outdoor

4 p.m.: Jesse Garron's Tribute to Elvis-Indoor

5 p.m.: J.R. Booker-Outdoor

6:30 p.m.: Frankie & The Pack-Outdoor

8 p.m.: Wayne Newton-Indoor (Sold Out)

Sunday, Sept. 23

10 a.m.: Rick K & Allnighters-Outdoor

11 a.m.: J.R. Booker-Indoor

Noon: Annie Sidley-Outdoor

1 p.m.: RED - Indoor

2 p.m.: Rising Sun Reggae Band-Outdoor

3:30 p.m.: Zim Zemeral-Indoor

5 p.m.: Randy Lee Ashcraft & The Saltwater Cowboys-Outdoor