OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Baby Parade is a community tradition dating back to before World War I, as well as a family tradition sometimes spanning generations.
The 113th edition of the waterfront walk on the wooden way was held Aug. 10 and, other than being forgivingly cool and cloudy, was the perfect example of what many have come to love as their favorite event in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Proud parents, grandparents, siblings and sometimes friends decorate strollers, wagons, carriers, carts and cars decked out in themed outfits, accompanied by the sounds of marching bands — both hobo and high school.
Outgoing pageant queens — Miss Ocean City Grace Oves, Junior Miss Ocean City Antonella DiAntonio and Little Miss Ocean City Lyla Clark — waved their final goodbyes before crowning their successors in the coming days.
Dana (Piccoli) Spoltore, a 2010 Ocean City High School graduate, is a former Miss Ocean City and knows how that feels.
She and husband Grant Spoltore were just starting the tradition in their family, bringing Sophie, 11 months, to the parade for the first time.
The Somers Point couple were dressed as dwarfs, while Sophie was stunning as Snow White.
“Growing up seeing it every year, once I found out I was having a girl I definitely wanted to do it,” Dana said. “It’s always been a dream of mine.”
They were Division B Section 400 runner-up.
Cherry Hill residents Anthony and Jen Viola brought little cutie Ellie, 18 months, to her very first baby parade. She was outfitted in flower-shaped sunglasses and overalls, while her stroller was decorated with more flowers and bunnies. Their theme was Ellie Rose’s Garden.
“We heard all about it and now that we have a baby, it’s a dream come true,” Anthony Viola said, noting they visit for Christmas and other holidays.
“Ocean City has always been in our family,” he said.
They took first place in Division A Section 100.
Debbie Pierce, who is ripe with experience, and her family had the theme Elliot’s Blueberry Farm in honor of grandson Elliot Sullivan, 14 months. She has been taking part in the parade off and on since 1984, back in the 20th century.
Pierce began entering her children in the event when her daughters Ashley Jones-Pierce and Micaela Pierce and son Michael Pierce were young, then served as a judge for a few years after they aged out before getting back in the lineup this year with her grandson.
Pierce said the event is more than just a parade for her family, which uses it as an opportunity to try to get the whole group together at the shore. This year they won the Hanscom Award.
Decked out as a flower child, Donna Mangini, 36, brought daughters Giavanna, 14 months, Lily, 12, and Deana, 13, from Washington Township. Her father lives in the area and she thought she would finally take advantage of the opportunity.
“Now we have a new baby, so we figured it would be fun to do it together,” she said.
Giavanna’s ride was reminiscent of a VW bus and decked out in flowers and a speaker playing 1960s and 1970s beach music.
Sporting a giant smile to go with his bald head, Nathan Brookes, 11 months, was operating a very cool John Deere tractor made by his grandfather.
Mother Hannah Brookes of West Chester, Pa., said her family has strong connections to Ocean City. She said she was in the parade 30 years ago and now that her mother and father, Frank and Betty Brookes, live on the island she was excited to bring her son.
Brookes has been visiting the island her whole life and she and her husband met during First Night in 2009.
“We love it,” she said. “This is our first child, the first grandchild, so we are happy to have him in it.”
Also taking part was Hannah’s mother Eileen Robinson.
Ken Luciani was back for his fifth time, towing grandson Luca, 6, along with his daughter, Cheryl Chmielewski of Bridgeport, Pa., in a float with the theme Don’t Feed the Seagulls.
Luca was relaxing in a beach chair with an umbrella and a sampling of favorite Ocean City treats — Johnson’s Popcorn, Manco & Manco Pizza, JiLLy’s french fries — while laughing gulls hovered overhead. Luciani was dressed as one of the city’s raptor handlers and holding a menacing-looking plastic owl. They won the Soifer Award.
Sporting an Under the Sea theme, Sandra and Gil Welsford Jr. of Arlington, Va., were carting along Marielle, 2, and Gilbert III, 10 months, in a fancy float complete with a bubble machine.
There were a couple of Barbie-themed entries, such as Rebecca Piotti of Margate with son Quinn, 5, who was Ken, and twins Madison and Cameron, 3, and Samantha Anderson, 8, of Linwood.
Grace Labriola, 3, who was as sweet as can be last year in her ice cream cart, this year celebrated the 100th anniversary of Disney. This year she took first place in Division A Section 200.
Teresa Hammerstedt of Vineland brought son James, 3, in a float celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
Stephanie Richards of Northfield was chugging along with Jackson, 3, Gracie, 2, and Willow, 1 month, in a Thomas & Friends Ride the Waves float. They won the Bamberger Award.
Best float went to Toy Story from Let’s Party Events.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
