111th Ocean City Baby Parade marches Thursday

By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff

OCEAN CITY — A tradition in America’s Greatest Family Resort for more than a century, the 111th annual Ocean City Baby Parade is set to step off at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, from Sixth Street on the boardwalk.

Started in 1906, the parade includes entries in four divisions, with many families going all out to create the perfect entry based on whatever theme they prefer. 

Children participating in Divisions A, B and C must be 10 or younger to compete. Preregistration ends at noon Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Division A is Children in Fancy Dress (formal, extravagant, traditional, etc.) featuring decorated strollers, coaches, kiddie cars, wagons, etc., or walking. Section 1: Up to 2 years old. Section 2: 2-6 years old. Section 3: 6-10 years old.

Division B is Children in Comic Dress (fun, silly, pop culture, etc.). The same age ranges apply. 

Division C is Small Children’s Floats featuring all vehicles with tops or sides built or added measuring more than 3 by 5 feet. 

Division D is floats/cars/walking groups/bands entered by businesses or organizations. Division D entrants will enter at the Fifth Street ramp.

A representative will direct entrants to the staging area. 

Floats are judged on the parade route. Music is encouraged but pets and throwing candy or other objects are prohibited. Participants in Division D will travel to 14th Street and exit via the ramp, while those in divisions A, B and C will end at 12th Street.

Participants begin checking in at 9:45 a.m. at the Sports & Civic Center just off the boardwalk at Sixth Street. Divisions A and B will form inside the Civic Center and Division C will form outside. Division D (floats) will form on the boardwalk at Fifth Street. Judging will take place as each entry passes the main reviewing stand at the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. 

Participation trophies will be presented at the end of the parade route.

Specialty awards and overall awards — including the Leo Bamberger Founders Award, Hanscom Award, Dahlhausen Award, Canale Award, Outstanding Twins or Triplets, Baby coming the greatest distance in North America, Best Float, Best Musical Act and the new Mark Soifer Award — will be announced after the parade. Participants must walk the entire parade route to receive a participation trophy and be considered for a specialty/overall award. Awards will be announced at 11:45 a.m. at 12th Street and over the boardwalk public address system. Awards will be available in the Information Center of the Ocean City Music Pier between Eighth and Ninth streets after noon on parade day. 

Rebecca Juzwiak of Johnson’s Popcorn, whose original shop was on the 600 block of the boardwalk where the parade begins, said she enjoys the tradition.

“It’s a super-cute family event that the city holds and everybody likes,” she said.

“The Baby Parade is free to watch from either side of the boardwalk between Sixth Street and 12th Street,” Ocean City Public Information Officer Bergen said. “Spectators are welcome to bring beach chairs to watch from the railing along the ocean side of the boardwalk.”

In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, our newly crowned Queen Infanta — Giovanna “Joey” Dattilo, local dignitaries, business owners and organizations.

In the event of heavy rain, entries should still report to the Civic Center where judging will take place but the parade will not proceed down the boardwalk.