Thousands of Americans will be going to beaches Saturday to say “No” to offshore oil drilling, and “Yes” to clean energy. Clean energy in our lifetime, please! Clean energy now! People will link hands on the beach in a demonstration of solidarity to protect the coastline.

In Maryland, “Hands Across the Sand” will be at Ocean City, on the beach at the Inlet, at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 26. For more information, or to sign up, click right here.

Message from your host, Steven B.: On Saturday at 11 am, tens of thousands of people are getting together at beaches across the country for a massive event called “Hands Across The Sand.” We’ll join hands on the beach, making a literal “line in the sand” to say “no” to new offshore drilling and “yes” to clean energy.”

You can park at the big Inlet Parking Lot, or the other municipal lots downtown. Also metered parking on downtown streets. Or you can park at the park-and-ride lot on Route 50 in West Ocean City, and ride the shuttle buses across the bridge to within walking distance of the Inlet.

If you’re going to be in Ocean City this weekend, please be sure to put this environmental event on your schedule. I imagine it will be an educational experience for small children, and a possible opportunity to earn service credits for high school students.

If you weren’t planning a beach trip this weekend, here’s a good reason to come to OC. I know there will be rooms available this weekend, but I advise calling your favorite hotel for a reservation, just to save yourself some time.

Recommended equipment: sunblock, sun hat, T-shirt, flip-flops (the sand can be very HOT!), and of course, water. All these necessities can be found nearby on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Pizza, crab cakes, and ice cream after the event are optional. Make a weekend of it!

– John Hayden