Suits and skirts in the ocean! After hiatus, huge crowds gather to unlock the Shore. - NJ.com

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The unseasonably chilly weather didn’t deter the suits from conducting their annual business meeting on the beach in Ocean City Friday afternoon.

On the agenda was turning a wooden key declaring the ocean open for the season and then ceremoniously marching into the not terribly cold water.

Business owners and locals, some dressed in elaborate costumes, others in a suit and tie or dress, gathered by the Music Pier to celebrate the city’s Memorial Day Weekend tradition — the Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony and Business Persons Plunge.

“I think we have a record crowd this year, and it’s been two long winters, two long, rainy, cold winters,” said John Walton, founder and event organizer of the Business Persons Plunge.

Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony and Business Persons Plunge in Ocean City — A crowd gathers to watch Ocean City's Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony and Business Persons Plunge, Friday, May 28, 2021. Tim Hawk | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Spectators lined the boardwalk, beach and Music Pier to watch the spectacle that was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Walton said last year they held a very small ceremony to keep the tradition going. Six loyal fans attended and nobody went into the water. His briefcase, that he has carried for all 18 years of the plunge and is rusted shut, was carried out by a wave.

“By the grace of good fortune, a wave came in and took the briefcase out for a ride, about 14 feet and kind of brought it right back in,” Walton said.

A year later, things are completely different. Friday marked the first official day the state dropped indoor masks and social distancing requirements in most circumstances. For the participants and the large crowd, that just added to the celebration.

“I think there’s more excitement and I think there’s more good vibe, a whole new chapter of post COVID,” Walton said.

Before the plunge, Mayor Jay Gillian and other city dignitaries reminded everyone that today is not just about the start of the Shore season but to remember the sacrifices our armed service members made.

Gillan also said that this past year has reminded us what to appreciate.

“I appreciate the city, I appreciate the people, everybody that comes Ocean City, and what we’ve done over the last year, to keep it together,” he said before Ocean City resident Fred Miller, former lifeguard of 39 years, stuck a huge key in the sand and proclaimed the beaches and ocean were now open.

Minutes later the group led by Walton wearing a black suit and carrying his briefcase, marched into the water as the Ocean City High School marching band played “Pomp and Circumstance.” Many held American Flags that fluttered in the strong winds.

Friday’s plunge was the first for Erica Onofrio, a Reiki Master and Yoga Instructor who teaches on the 37th Street beach for her business, Soul to Soul.

“I absolutely loved it,” she said while walking out of the ocean dressed in a black flowered dress, jean jacket and hat. She said that the water was warm and the energy surrounding the event was high, which made her proud to be a part of the city.

“It feels like life is going back to normal but in a new way,” she added.

The man with the key and who was responsible for “unlocking the ocean” thinks this summer will be on the crazier side, judging from last weekend’s crowd when the weather was warm and the boardwalk packed.

“I could pretty much go out on a limb and say it’s going to be a better summer than last year,” Miller said with a laugh.

Scroll below to see more images of the plunge.

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Tim Hawk may be reached at thawk@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Tim on Instagram @photog_hawk.

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Suits and skirts in the ocean! After hiatus, huge crowds gather to unlock the Shore. - NJ.com

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