Ocean City's Cruisin': See Catherine Bach, Joe Diffie and, of course, lots of cars

Ocean City is revving up for the 29th annual Cruisin’ Ocean City with a packed lineup of car events and musical entertainment including "Dukes of Hazzard" star Catherine Bach and country music legend Joe Diffie.

More than 3,000 hot rods, street machines, classics and more will roll into the resort town for the Cruisin’ event from Thursday to Sunday, May 16-19.

Events take place at the Inlet Parking Lot, the Roland E. Powell Convention Center and other town-wide locations, in addition to the US 13 Dragway in Delmar.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the “Dukes of Hazzard” with Catherine Bach, best known for her role as Daisy Duke, and the General Lee show car. Bach will be at the convention center Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the at the Inlet on Saturday, also from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also scheduled to appear, from the hit show “Counting Cars,” is Ryan Evans, who will be at the Inlet on Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at the convention center Saturday  from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional entertainment includes live music by Mook Jones and Ben Fuller, BINGO, Seaside Jimmy, Cruisin Gold Deejay, the fth annual Pin Up Contest and a neon and LED light car show .

Taking the stage at the Ocean City Performing Arts Center will also be Grammy Award winner and country music legend Joe Diffie on Thursday, May 16. Diffie has 12 No. 1 hits, including “Home,” “Pickup Man,” “Third Rock from the Sun” and “John Deere Green.”

 Opening for Diffie will be Maryland native and viral star Jackson Dean, winner of Maryland Music Awards for Best Songwriter and Best New Breakout Artist, 

All seats are reserved and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster, 1-800-551-SEAT, or visiting DelmarvaConcerts.com.

At the US 13 Dragway, events will take place Friday and Saturday, including jet dragsters, No Prep racing, burnout contests, test and tunes and car shows. For more information, visit TakinittotheStrip.com or call 302-846-3911. 

Gates at the US 13 Dragway open at 4 p.m. Friday  and Saturday.

A new event this year will be the Cruisin Car Corral on Thursday and Friday inside the convention center, where show cars that are for sale will be on display.  Call 410-871-8381 or email info@cruisinclassicauctions.com.

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Some of the country’s top national names will be showcasing their products in the manufacturers midway at the Inlet Parking Lot. At the convention center, there will be Pioneer Pole Buildings and Treasured Motorcar Services, as well vendors both inside and outside selling automotive merchandise along with arts and crafts, jewelry, T-shirts and other specialty items. 

There will also be a swap meet Thursday, Friday and Saturday inside the convention center. Additional vendors will be at the US 13 Dragway location.

An Artwork Contender Showcase in which select cars compete to be on the artwork for the 30th anniversary Cruisin 2020 event will be held Thursday-Saturday at the convention center.  Spectators can vote for their favorite vehicle.  

Also on display inside the convention center will be the General Lee Show Car and the custom 73 Buick Riviera featured on the hit show “Counting Cars.” Both vehicles will be on display Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Other highlights include the Boardwalk parades that will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Cars will cruise south from 26th Street to the Inlet parking lot, starting at 8 a.m.

Sunday, the awards presentation will take place at the Inlet at 2 p.m. More than 500 trophies, plaques and awards will be presented, along with more than 3,000 giveaways.

Spectator tickets are $10 a day for Thursday and Sunday and $15 a day for Friday and Saturday, good at the Inlet and convention center. Children younger than 14 enter free with an adult. 

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at both the Inlet and convention center, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Inlet location. 

Visit www.cruisinoceancity.com or call 410-798-6304.

A Party Under the Stars is also planned for Friday night at the Ocean Downs Casino, with Golden Touch taking the stage from 7-10 p.m., playing hits from the 60s to the ‘90s. The fifth annual Pin-Up Pageant will take place at 8 p.m.

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