OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City's 116th annual Baby Parade is set for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 13 on the Boardwalk, continuing one of the resort's best-known family traditions.
The parade begins at Sixth Street, with children finishing at 12th Street and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.
The event features children ages 10 and under riding in themed strollers, wagons and floats. The parade is free to watch from either side of the Boardwalk, and spectators may bring beach chairs to sit along the railing on the ocean side. On parade morning, the Boardwalk will close to bicycle traffic at 9:30 a.m.
Participants scheduled to appear include the Absegami High School Marching Band, Interboro Marching Band, Gelana Brass Band, Queen Infanta Abigail Herrington, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City contestants, a "Toy Story" float, local dignitaries, businesses and organizations.
Each child will receive a memento at 12th Street for taking part, and winners will receive awards when they complete the parade at 12th Street. In addition to division awards, special honors will include the Leo Bamberger Founders Award, Hanscom Award, Dahlhausen Award, Canale Award, Outstanding Twins or Triplets, Baby Traveling the Greatest Distance to Participate, Best Float, Best Musical Act and the Mark Soifer Award.
If heavy rain develops, entries should still report to the Civic Center for judging, but the parade will not proceed down the Boardwalk. Registration remains open for anybody who wants to participate. The entry fee is $5 per child, and the registration deadline is 11 p.m. Monday, August 10. More information and an online entry form are available at ocnj.us/babyparade.
The Baby Parade follows another youth-centered Ocean City tradition. Pamper Scamper, a crawling race for children 15 months old and younger, is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, on the beach at Sixth Street, with registration at 8:30 a.m. The free event is an annual prelude to the Baby Parade.
Ocean City's calendar for the week also includes "Sister Act" performances through Aug. 13 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center, Chris Janson at the Music Pier on Thursday night, and the second Ocean City Fishing Club open house on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The city will also host the Little Miss Ocean City Pageant on Friday, Aug. 14, and the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant on Saturday, Aug. 15, both at the Music Pier.
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