Every three-day weekend is a busy weekend at the beach, but the most recent Fourth of July ranks among the five busiest at Ocean City over the last 20 years. Town officials estimate more than 330,000 people hit the resort town, a crowd that is about five-percent larger when compared to last year’s Fourth of July weekend. It also is the biggest crowd since 2003, when an estimated 343,000 people were there. For July 4th itself, more than 354,000 people were on the beach, which would be the most ever according to Ocean City.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has awarded two popular Delaware beaches with “superstar” status. Rehoboth and Dewey beaches have perfect five-star ratings for a history of very good water quality. Beaches are awarded stars in five categories that include exceeding health standard, notifying the public promptly when tests reveal excessive bacteria levels and posting closings and advisories online and at the beach. Ocean City, Maryland and Virginia Beach received four stars. Maryland was 16th nationwide; Delaware 5th.

Ocean City wants you to visit, so they will be giving away $100,000 in free gas. City councilman Brent Ashley says they are worried too many people want to stay home because of the gas prices. Money for the gas giveaway will come from Ocean City’s advertising budget. The rest of the details of the giveaway are still being worked out.

Beach-bound travelers may notice some improvements in Ocean City. Engineers have completed a $9-million beach replenishment effort to pump 900,000 cubic yards of new sand onto Ocean City’s beaches. Officials say visitors may notice the change most around 81st Street. Officials also plan to crack down on businesses that litter with handbills. A longtime fixture, the Phillips Beach Plaza Hotel with its familiar rocking chairs, has been updated. The Victorian decor had a facelift, and the Phillips by the Sea restaurant has been replaced with a new eatery featuring Latin and Asian small plates. Jim Waggoner of Long and Foster realty says bookings for resort rentals are up 11-percent over last year in Ocean City and the Delaware beaches.

The Ocean City Town Council voted to ban smoking at some parks and playgrounds in town. If the ordinance is signed into law by Mayor Rick Meehan, people found smoking at certain locations would face a maximum fine of $500 and immediate removal from the park. The new rule would be the first town-mandated restriction on outdoor smoking within resort limits. Under the ordinance, smoking would be banned at Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the Ocean City Tennis Center and the tennis courts on Third Street. It also would be prohibited at and near the playgrounds at Bayside, Robin, Little Salisbury, Northside, Gorman and North Surf parks.

More people want an all-wood surface when it comes to renovating Ocean’s City famous Boardwalk, according to an online poll which showed 51-percent favored the all-board option. A wood surface with a stamped concrete train lane made to simulate wood got 34-percent of the vote. Another 15-percent favored a wood surface with a plain concrete train lane.