by KYW's Mark Abrams

A popular Maryland shore destination is going retro in its pitch to attract visitors from southeastern Pennsylvania.

Donna Abbott is public relations director for Ocean City, Md. She says the town is running a major radio and television ad campaign which parodies a 1950's-style Civil Defense bulletin. The town's mayor advises viewers and listeners that now is the time to make the journey south to the Eastern Shore:

"You know there's so much gloom and doom anymore and gas prices going up and tough economic times and this was just a way to remind people that, you know, you still have to have some fun and why not have it here in Ocean City, Maryland."

Abbott says several hotels are offering attractive room deals, including gas cards, as incentives. Abbott says because more people are waiting until the last minute to decide on a vacation destination, the zany ad is designed to get people thinking about coming to O-C.