Angels in Oilskins Festival

This event is FREE to attend

The Museum Society invites you to celebrate a monumental double anniversary: the United States’ historic 250th anniversary and the U.S. Coast Guard’s 236 years of service! Join us at the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum for a day packed with history, music, and hands-on fun for the whole family.

The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum invites the public to attend the Angels in Oilskins – A Living History Experience on August 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 236th anniversary of the United States Coast Guard's service.

Held both inside and outside the historic museum, the event will transform the Life-Saving Station into an immersive journey through coastal history. Visitors will experience interactive exhibits and demonstrations that highlight the early days of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, including historic medicine, daily routines, traditional foods, and crafts.

The celebration continues along the Boardwalk with live music, hands-on activities, and engaging demonstrations designed for all ages. Featured participants and activities include a Navy Nurse presentation on historic medicine, live sea shanties performed by the Jolly Tars, Raw Oyster Bar by Harrison’s Harbor Watch, live farm animal encounter by Saltwater Mini Farm, spinning wheel demonstration by Rackliffe House and Julia A Purnell Museum, decoy carving demonstration by the Ward Foundation, coastal rescue history presented by the Indian River Life-Saving Station, a lighthouse erosion demonstration from the Zwaanendael Museum, Uniforms in action by Historic Lewis, nautical knot tying with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, and a special meet-and-greet with rescue dogs from Colonial Newfoundland Rescue.

The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring family and friends and enjoy a full day of history, music, and coastal culture.