Huntington-Born Baby Leads National 'Baby Of The Year' Contest Group

HUNTINGTON, NY — A Huntington-born 7-month-old is leading his group in the national Baby of the Year competition as voting in the current round enters its final hours.

Billy Kerr was listed in first place in his Group Finals group Thursday afternoon, according to his competition profile. Voting in the round ends Oct. 8, at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Subscribe

The competition is also offering a limited-time double-vote promotion through 9 p.m. Thursday.

Billy's mother, Erica Kerr, said the family learned about Baby of the Year through her sister.

"Billy lights up every room he comes into," Kerr said. "He's funny and happy at this young age. He's a bright light for all to see."

Billy and his mother were both born in Huntington, and Kerr said she has lived in the community her entire life.

The family also has longstanding ties to Huntington's medical community. Billy's father, Dr. Robert Kerr, is a neurosurgeon who worked at Huntington Hospital for 14 years, Erica Kerr said.

Billy's competition profile describes him as "smart and silly for a young guy," with an early knack for making his family laugh.

"He makes us laugh with his funny mouth movements and he knows what he's doing to be silly," the family wrote on his profile. "Billy also gets fun noises and laughs along with me and my crazy family!"

$25,000 Prize

The 2026 Baby of the Year winner will receive $25,000 and appear in a national advertising campaign with The Honest Company, according to the competition website.

The winner is also slated to appear in an advertorial in Variety.
If Billy ultimately wins, Kerr said the family already knows where some of the prize money would go.

"Well I would first give a little bit to my family that is struggling now with some financial difficulties and then save the rest for his future!" she wrote on Billy's competition profile.

Baby of the Year also supports Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit that provides basic necessities to children in need.

Voters ordinarily receive one free daily vote, with additional votes available through donations supporting Baby2Baby. During Thursday's limited-time promotion, the competition is doubling votes, including the free vote.

The contest is powered by Colossal, which describes itself as a nationally registered professional fundraiser.

Voting Ends Thursday Night

Billy is competing in the Group Finals, which conclude Thursday.

The top competitor in each Group Finals group advances directly to the Quarterfinals. Competitors who finish second will have another opportunity to advance during a Wildcard Round scheduled from Oct. 9 through Oct. 11.

Votes reset as competitors advance through the competition.
The Quarterfinals run from Oct. 12 through Oct. 22, followed by the Semifinals from Oct. 23 through Oct. 29 and the Finals from Oct. 30 through Nov. 5.

The overall 2026 Baby of the Year winner is expected to be announced on or before Dec. 5.