The Dew Tour will not return this year to Ocean City for a fifth consecutive summer after organizers of the extreme sports competition said they will seek out new venues.
"Ocean City has been a fantastic host city and partner for the Dew Tour for the past four years," Dew Tour organizers said. "As we plan for a new season in 2015, we will be looking to reach different markets."
Ocean City officials said the town is "disappointed" about the change but stressed the successful partnership lasted longer than expected.
"Historically for the Dew Tour, they don't stay in one location for a long extended time," said Jessica Waters, the town's communications manager. "The fact that they stayed for four years speaks volumes for the success they had here."
Last year about 100,000 people packed Ocean City for the five-day event held in June, along with some 100 athletes who competed in sports ranging from skateboarding to BMX bike riding. Organizers said the event, which offered free admission, broke Dew Tour attendance records.
"A lot of people will be disappointed," said Waters, "but fortunately for us it's a busy time of year for us anyways. It's the beginning of June and it kinda sells itself."
Organizers said the Dew Tour's 2015 schedule is still being planned so the names of the cities where the various competitions will be held have not been finalized. Ocean City kicked off last year's tour, which included Portland, Ore., Brooklyn, N.Y. and Breckenridge, Colo. The Dew Tour was held in Baltimore in 2008 and at the time, the city estimated its economic impact at about $10 million.
Waters said Ocean City does not have another huge event lined up to replace the Dew Tour, but they are hopeful other event promoters have noticed the town's performance and will come knocking.
"They had four great years here," she said. "It was in no way a reflection of the success they had."
