July 12, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 7 . . 200-Plus Cars Left Pre-Fireworks FROM PAGE 6 Meehan furthered city officials were surprised there were at least 200 to 300 vehicles that had left the parking lot by the time the fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. While the town learned the method to charge motorists as they enter the lot did in fact relieve traffic upon exiting, they also learned the lot would benefit from having staff keep a close eye on the amount of parking spaces that become available throughout the day with the possibility to reopen the lot at a specified time and charge a lower price upon entry. “It was positive,” the mayor said. “The revenue [approximately $60,000] far exceeded what we took in last year. What was unanticipated was that some people left, but that was the learning experience, and we can make the adjustment to correct that next year.” As far as keeping with the $50 flat-fee in years to come, the mayor said that is ultimately the City Council’s decision. “I hope that they do … it really worked well,” Meehan said. “We have the prime space, and I think people want to be in that prime space where they are right there, they can walk right out onto the beach, there are restrooms in the area and they have that fabulous Boardwalk to visit for food and entertainment. That is where they want to be and they now they have that option to pay $50 to be there all day and through the fireworks. I did not hear any complaints.” All in all Meehan was thoroughly impressed with masses of people in the downtown area this 4th of July who stayed to watch the spectacular fireworks display. “The good news is there were thousands of people downtown to watch the fireworks. The crowd downtown was just huge. It was as many people as I have ever seen,” he said. “I thought the fireworks were terrific … you can always get a gauge by the round of applause and cheers from the crowd, and everybody was clapping and cheering at the end of the fireworks.” With traffic backups through the holiday weekend, nearly all hotels sporting no vacancy signs and restaurants reporting at least one-hour dinner waits up and down the island, the initial thoughts were the crowds were up over last year. According to demoflush population estimates, that was not the case. Last year on the 4th of July, according to demoflush, there were 331,909 people calculated to be in Ocean City. This year, the estimate was a slight increase to 332,214. For the week of July 1-7, the weekly average was 298,711 this year, 6 percent less than last year’s average. For the 4th of July weekend alone, the weekend average this year was 322,558, down 2.3 percent from last year. 10109 Pitts Road Showell, MD 21862 443-727-9042 (next to the little white church) lizlindeditions.com like us on facebook - liz lind editions OPEN! Saturday & Sunday 11-4. Open all week*. We ask that you call first. Monday - Friday 11am-4pm FRIDAY 10pm-2am JJ THE DJ $6 Jager Bomb & $5 Deer & Beer: A Jager Shot & Miller Lt. Draft $5.95 Lunch Specials Hideaway Bar Upstairs with Game Room is Fun for All! SATURDAY ✬✯✵¤✠✤✱✦5¤✔✤✶✺¤✟✲✱✶5✵✶ 10pm-2am DJ WOOD $4 Smirnoff Flavors $2 Miller Lt. Drafts ✗5✸✬✱✪¤☛✲✲✧¤❚✤✶5¤✒✬✶5q 50+ TVs •16 Draft Beers Carry-Out • Kids Menu MD Lottery: Keno & More NEW SPECIALS, 10PM-2AM SUNDAY: SUNDAY ALL Day Specials $6 Finlandia Crushes & George’s Bloody Marys $2 Miller Lt. Drafts 75¢ Natural Lt. Cans WEDNESDAY: 10pm-2am DJ SIREN MONDAY 10pm-2am DJ JEREMY $8 Malibu Buckets & $4 Drinks $3 Fireballs HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY 4-7PM THURSDAY: $1.85 Domestic Drafts $2.15 Domestic Bottles $2.25 Rail Drinks $3.50 Fireballs & $2 Any Beer for those in our Industry 116th St. & Coastal Hwy., OC, MD 21842 TUESDAY 10pm-2am DJ BLAZIN’ HOTT $8 Grand Margaritas $4.25 Baby GM Shots WEDNESDAY 10pm-2am DJ WAX $4 Bacardi Flavors & Oakheart APPAREL SHOPS Visit 116th St. and on 6th St. & The Boards 410-723-2120 thegreeneturtle.com gtoc@thegreeneturtle.com facebook.com/originalgreeneturtle THURSDAY 10pm-2am DJ WOOD $5 Crown Maple & $4 SoCo Cherry