Since its inception, the Ocean Shores Community Engagement Committee which currently consists of Kim Nichols, Kristin Hartman, Debbie Bies, Ryann Salamon and Connie Clifford, has been trying to bring positive change to the coastal city of nearly 8,000 event by event.

Last week, the Committee delivered a comprehensive presentation about their activities at the May 27 Ocean Shores City Council meeting.

The brainchild of Ocean Shores Mayor Frank Elduen, the Committee was formed in early 2024 to bring residents together to create fun and interactive experiences. According to founding member Kim Nichols, those events are at the core of the committee’s mission.

“Our guiding principle is that we believe that a thriving and vibrant community needs the kinds of events that our neighbors look forward to,” Nichols said. “We chose to live by this and when we plan new events or support events hosted by the city or otherwise.”

Nichols went on to recap events the committee has gotten involved with including a Super Bowl watch party at the Convention Center in February 2024.

“We were in our formative stages as a committee, but we were asked to jump in and help out,” Nichols said. “Based on community feedback, we figured out pretty quickly that this one was destined to become a yearly event for the community and something the Community Engagement Committee would be proud to keep alive.”

After that first event, the Committee made it a priority to brainstorm other events to create and/or support and made the Ocean Shores City Market, which is located on Chance a la Mer across the street from the Convention Center, a top priority.

“We came to the decision pretty quickly that a market of some kind would be the perfect kind of event to tackle head on,” Nichols said. “The Ocean Shores City Market opened for business on June 1, 2024, we were donated property from Ron Lambert, the owner of Bennett’s (Fish Shack).”

Now in its second year, the dog friendly market is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until September 27, and features fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts and more from 28 vendors.

The Committee also provided event support for Ocean Shores’ second Annual National Night Out (NNO) in August 2024, and hopes to assist with this year’s event. National Night Out events are typically held the first Tuesday in August, and according to the NNO website, these events are designed to enhance “the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.”

The Committee held a SOUPer Bowl event in February at the Convention Center that featured the Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on three screens, held a soup tasting contest and raffles.

“We were thrilled to welcome more than 150 guests to enjoy an afternoon of fun, food, and football,” Nichols said. “Many thanks to our local businesses. We could not have done it without their generosity. They provided raffle prizes. Our home chefs ended up creating some pretty awesome samplings for everyone. Will there be a SOUPer Bowl 2026? You bet.”

In addition to the Ocean Shores City Market, Nichols discussed additional events for 2025, including Independence Day festivities and Ocean Shores Pride in August.

The Ocean Shores Community Engagement Committee ended their presentation with a call for volunteers.

“We’re looking for volunteers, if any of you would like to volunteer with us, you can go to our Facebook page, or our website,” Clifford said. “Please feel free to call any of us, or just contact us any way you know how, because all five of us are more than willing to talk to you at any time.”

To learn more, visit: https://www.oceanshorescitymarket.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/7074161732709505/