Marketing/Public Relations Director Teresa Travatello has been busy coordinating the activities, which she said first started out as a weekend celebration. Over the years it has expanded to its current one-month length due to its popularity with everyone who  wanted  to  showcase their component of the community, she said.

The kickoff is scheduled to begin on Saturday with all things arts and crafts in White Horse Park, located at 239 Ocean Parkway. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the 36th annual Pine’eer Arts and Craft Festival will feature more than 100 artisans from all over Delmarva  and  a  traditional homemade bake sale.

Inside the nearby Community Center, more than 20 community groups will showcase their clubs or organizations. Sharyn O’Hare, chairwoman of the Anniversary Committee, said the original event began as a “Days in May” celebration that was started by builders and realtors to market Ocean Pines after Boise Cascade sold the last remaining lots in 1979. From that point the anniversary was a celebration every five years, she said.

O’Hare has been involved in them all and served as chairwoman for the first time for the 35th anniversary celebration, she said. The spinoff proceeds from that anniversary event were used for seed money for the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, a campaign which O’Hare co-chaired with Roseanne Bridgman. The memorial has since become successfully self-sufficient, O’Hare noted.

“What I like about these anniversaries is that they bring the community together and give us the opportunity to showcase our facilities,” O’Hare said. “It also gives us a chance to look back at the old days,” and relive those enjoyable times, she said.

There will be a free concert by the Honeycombs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities for children will include a moon bounce house, face painting and a craft making table.

Food vendors from Billy’s Pizza Shop in Crisfield will be selling oyster sandwiches, pit beef and homemade lemonade and the Ocean Pines–Ocean City Kiwanis will be selling hot dogs, polish sausages and other snacks. Vendors will also be on hand selling Eastern Shore Kettle Korn and ice cream.

The Ocean Pines Farmers’ Market will be offering a variety of local, homegrown produce, veggie cookies, organic pet treats, eggs, local honey, and other items from nearby farms.

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department will be onsite selling tickets for its 2013 house raffle. The house is located in North Ocean Pines at 82 Windjammer Road.

Brunori Homes has built the three bedroom, two-bathroom house that has a screened porch attached garage and includes all appliances. The drawing will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 2 at the house.

Tickets cost $100 and may be purchased by cash, check or credit cards.

Additional raffle information is available by calling 410-641-8272; or by stopping by the South Station at 911 Ocean Parkway.

Parking will be free and assistance will be provided by the Ocean Pines Volunteer Neighborhood Watch.

Other events planned for the anniversary will include a Luau-themed buffet and free concert by Maryland native, recording artist and American Idol finalist, Jimmy Charles and his band on Aug.8; a Golf Club outing and dinner on Aug.16; a free swim day at the community’s pools on Aug. 20; Jamaican Beach Party at the Beach Club with Kaleb Brown, tropical buffet and drink specials on Aug. 23; a classic car parade and show hosted by the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce and a block party and round robin matches at the Manklin Racquet Complex on Aug. 25.