Two huge—and I mean enormous—musical events are happening this weekend in the Ocean City region. First, the downtown Inlet parking lot is the site of the 37th Annual Sunfest celebration. Two large concert stages are setup in the heart of the festival, which is free to the public, and live entertainment takes place throughout the weekend.
    Second, the nearby town of Berlin, Maryland, hosts its 19th annual Berlin Fiddlers Convention. Bluegrass band Lonesome Highway headlines the event, and pickers in two age groups—15 & under and 16 & over—are invited to compete on banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and band.
    Sunfest takes place from Thursday, September 22, until Sunday, September 25. Admission is free, and tickets are available for the headlining acts on the main stage. Free indoor and outdoor live music includes acts like JP McDermott & Wester Bop, Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis, Georgia Lee & Stone Cold Country, Front Page News, The Janitors, Randy Lee Ashcraft & the Saltwater Cowboys, The Stickers, Rising Sun Reggae, Quiet Fire, Mary Lou & The Untouchables, Big Daddy Stallings and The Bluez Evolution Band, Queen City Funk & Soul, Crowded Outhouse, Oh Boy! A Tribute to Buddy Holly, The Regal Beagles, and Captain Fantastic.
    In addition to live music, Sunfest presents arts, crafts, food, beverages, and beach hayrides. For specific times of the entertainment lineup, visit http://ococean.com/events.
    The headlining event for Sunfest is Kenny Rogers, and his show has sold out. I know many locals were disappointed when Bret Michaels canceled his appearance, but the good news is that he rescheduled for next year. Tickets are on sale now to see Bret Michaels at Sunfest on September 22, 2012.
    On Saturday, after you enjoy the free Sunfest performance by Mary Lou & The Untouchables at 3:00, cross the street to the bayfront on Talbot Street for an important fundraiser at M.R. Ducks from 5:00 to 8:00. Mary Lou, dubbed the “Queen of Soul & Rock ‘n Roll,” will perform with her band, and local musician John LaMere will hold a live auction between sets to raise funds for Mary Lou’s medical expenses resulting from neck, back, and shoulder surgeries. This is a great cause with great music, so stop by and make a difference.
    Just down the road, Berlin kicks off its Fiddlers Convention on Friday, September 23. Last year’s winning band, No Spare Time, gets the pickin’ started at 7:00 p.m. From West Virginia, bluegrass band Lonesome Highway headlines the event with performances from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 11:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday. Arrive early on Saturday to signup for the music competition, and catch an appearance by local favorites The Electric Company at 9:00 a.m. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m., and the contest is from noon until 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.berlinchamber.org/event-fiddlers-convention.
    In other exciting news, Skip Dixxon marks the beginning of Ocean City’s second season with the return of his Open Mic Night. Local musicians are invited to showcase your talents at the Pour House on Wicomico Street at 9:30 each Wednesday night,
    Between Sunfest, Berlin’s Fiddlers Convention, and the benefit at M.R. Ducks for Mary Lou, Ocean City has a full menu of live music on tap for this weekend. Other sonic events definitely worth checking out include Bond ‘n Bentley at the Steer Inn Tavern on Friday night, and the Amish Outlaws at Seacrets on Friday night. Both bands are wildly popular and a guaranteed good time. Have a wonderful week, everyone.