A message from OPA President Colette Horn: A history of Independence Day in Ocean Pines

(July 1, 2022) The first mention of Fourth of July fireworks in the “History of Ocean Pines” book written by Bud Rogner was in 1988, during the 20th anniversary of the community.  

Rogner wrote, “Many events were held during the year-long celebration, including several which were continued in later years, such as the OPA sponsored fireworks display on the Fourth of July and the annual boat parade, originally sponsored by the Tennis Club.”  

However, those who lived in the community said the fireworks and Fourth of July festivities actually began during the 1970s. 

Tim McMullen and his late wife, Mary, helped found the Recreation and Parks program in Ocean Pines. They also had a hand in early Independence Day events.  

“We did a big cookout for the kids during the youth program. We would have a cookout and a day in the park, and things like that,” McMullen said. “This would have been 1974 to around 1978.”  

McMullen also remembers Boise Cascade, the developer who founded Ocean Pines, hosting fireworks displays over the Yacht Club during the late 1970s.  

Alta Weiss was the second editor of the Ocean Pines News publication and her husband, Fred, was an early member of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department.  

Fred believes the fireworks were originally launched during the mid 1970s from an area near the Swim and Racquet Club, which first opened in 1971.  

“The fireworks were basically THE thing for the Fourth of July,” Alta said.  

“They also had a stand there for hot dogs and cheeseburgers, and they had a snack bar,” Fred added.  

Marlene Ott, another early Ocean Pines settler, remembers watching fireworks from a “widow’s watch” area off the Yacht Club roof. The Yacht Club opened in 1975. 

Ott also remembers a different launching place.  

“They used to shoot them off from Tern’s Landing, before it got built up,” she said. “Later, we combined with Ocean Downs, and they shot them off there.” 

Ott said a few hundred people may have watched the early fireworks displays.  

“It was an alternative to going into Ocean City to watch the fireworks, but Ocean Pines spent a lot of money. They might have spent $100,000 on fireworks – it was crazy,” she said. “It was a serious display and it rivaled Ocean City. 

“It was a big deal – it wasn’t just a couple of firecrackers,” Ott added.  

That was a time when the community was in its infancy. Houses and infrastructure were still being built and many decisions about the future had yet to be made. Because of that, Ott said those early celebrations were truly a remarkable sight. 

“It was awesome – we were just caught up in the awe,” she said. “You could really feel the thud of the bangs and hear the whistling ones. You couldn’t have gotten that by watching the fireworks going off over in Ocean City.  

“Everything that Ocean Pines did had a first-class, optimistic quality to it,” Ott continued. “When you look at how many millions of dollars Boise Cascade had invested in here, there was never any idea of doing something halfway or just good enough. It was always a big deal.” 

Debbie Donahue has helped organize Fourth of July festivities for the last 12 years, including the last four as the Recreation and Parks director.  

Today, the Independence Day events include the Freedom 5K race in the morning, carnival games, bounce houses and food vendors during the late afternoon, and fireworks at dusk over the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines.  

“Every year, the Fourth of July just seems to be one of our biggest, best events that we put on, and we draw thousands of people,” Donahue said. “It’s a big family event. It has sort of a throwback feel with the carnival games, and then our fireworks over the pond are just beautiful.” 

Recreation and Parks, Police and Public Works prepare for weeks to run the events, and Donahue said virtually every department in Ocean Pines contributes. 

She also said the effort is worthwhile, and that it’s immensely satisfying to watch thousands of people staring up at the night sky in awe. 

“The first time we did it over the pond, it was amazing to see all the people sitting on the grass and looking up at that beautiful display,” she said. “It’s a pretty cool feeling!”  

For locals, Donahue said perhaps the best place to watch the fireworks is from the ballfields by the racquet center.  

“Bring your blankets and your lawn chairs. The ballfield is easy enough to get in and out of if you’re watching the fireworks – and walk, if you can,” she said. “If you’re coming to the carnival, please just be patient. There are lines because of the amount of people.  

“But really is one of the best events that we do. Although it’s a lot of work, at the end of the day it’s just awesome,” Donahue added.  

For more information on Fourth of July events this year, visit /web/pages/news_content?announcementId=1391&backURL=/web/pages/opa-news.