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For the third year in a row, Ocean City will not have a fireworks show on the July Fourth holiday, but for a different reason this year that has the town scrambling to make a new plan.

"It's one of the biggest weekends, if not the biggest weekends of the year. It's just a time when everyone converges here. (There's) a lot of tradition," Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan said.

Last year, beachgoers watched as the town's professional fireworks show went up in smoke right on the sand in an unintentional discharging.

"When the first one went up in the air, I didn't know what to think. I thought some crazy person was lighting off fireworks on the packed beach, and then all hell broke loose," said Charles Curran, an Ocean City resident.

This year, a labor shortage is to blame for the town's last-minute change of plans.

"Our fireworks vendor gave us kind of short notice just a few weeks ago that they were canceling, and they weren't going to be able to put on the display that takes place right down here and also up at Northside Park and 125th Street, so we scrambled," Meehan said.

So, the town had to improvise, putting together a small show ahead of July Fourth and setting up a new fireworks display downtown set for July 5.

"It'll be a little bit different. It'll actually be bigger, but they won't be as high, whereas, normally, they'd shoot them 450 feet. They'll be 250 feet. There will be more shells. It'll be more intense. So, it should be a great show, a little bit different, but I think everybody will enjoy it," Meehan said.

People still showed up in droves Monday, packing the beach and the boardwalk.

"It's a good time still. There's still a lot to do. The fireworks, they still have it on the third and the fifth, but sometimes, you (have to) walk toward those locations. The fifth, I believe, it's here, but we're still having a good time," said Aaron Kilby, a visitor.

"Last night was a big success. I know tomorrow night will be with the concert and the fireworks. We're a can-do community and we're going to do whatever we can to make sure our residents have a fun time and enjoy the fourth," Meehan said.

Shenanigan's Irish Pub on the boardwalk is still preparing for a busy Fourth of July despite the lack of fireworks on the actual holiday.

"It's disappointing about the fireworks, but as all of us (knew) since 2020 things haven't been the same. There's a lot of things that get canceled out and all, and the fireworks have had some bad luck," said Greg Shockley, the pub's owner.

Shockley credited the town for still organizing a display, and he doesn't expect a major impact on business.

"It's a beautiful day at the beach. That's the big thing, so you can get out and enjoy the ocean and then, this evening, move around on the boardwalk and enjoy the amusements and get something to eat and just have a good time," Shockley said.

Many people showed off their patriotism while getting some sun and enjoying the holiday on the Eastern Shore.

"We're going to do a bonfire tonight on the beach and light some sparklers and have fun, make some s'mores," said Louanne Zayas, a visitor.

"We're going to the beach and the pool, and I'm going to collect some pretty shells," said Summer Turner, a visitor.

The best spot to watch the new display Tuesday will be from the beach between the fishing pier and Third Street, officials said.

Video below: Cause of fireworks explosion in Ocean City under investigation

Officials investigate cause of fireworks 'unintentional discharge' on Ocean City beach Get the WBAL-TV app; Sign up for email alerts

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