OCEAN CITY — Just like America’s Greatest Family Resort is uniquely family-friendly among Jersey shore resorts, it also appears to have its very own weather pattern.
While mainland communities were getting deluged with rain Aug. 8, there was nothing but an annoying cloud cover that was not enough to dampen anybody’s spirits during the 114th annual Ocean City Baby Parade down the boardwalk.
The tradition offers a chance for parents to show off the newest generation of locals and tourists. The parade features children age 10 and younger traversing the boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at 12th Street and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.
Folks started gathering early at the Ocean City Sports & Civic Center, where excited parents were checking in to participate in the parade and judge Linda Gronert was taking notes.
“I just like all of the activities we have here in Ocean City and the family atmosphere,” Gronert said. “It’s fun for the first-timers and people come from other shore points.”
She said the top item she is looking for is creativity, how much was involved and the number of participants dressed up.
“I know it’s called a baby parade but we are not just looking at the babies,” Gronert said.
Meanwhile, Donna Mangini of Philadelphia, along with daughters Gigi, 2, and Deana, 14, and friend Charlotte Gustafson, 14, were decked out in their Ocean City Beach Patrol gear, complete with a beach cart lifeboat.
“This is our second time, so this is becoming a little tradition for us,” Mangini said. “This year we decided to do something Ocean City-themed, so she is the newest recruit on the Ocean City Beach Patrol.”
Anthony and Mary Edivan traveled from Woodbridge, Va., with their cutie pie Agnes, 18 months, in their cherry pie float. They used red balloons with tan felt for the picture-perfect pie. Agnes even had a whipped cream headpiece with a cherry on top.
“We come up every so often, two or three times a year, but specifically for the Baby Parade,” Edivan said, noting his wife has been visiting the island since she was a girl.
Jessica and Michael Czabator of Downingtown, Pa., dressed up as tennis pros along with daughters Juliet, 2, and Arabella, 4.
“Mike and I grew up playing tennis and Bella plays with her father on weekends. It’s just a beautiful activity that they do together,” Jessica Czabator said. “It was easy this year to come up with a fun theme that they were all involved with.”
Cousins Ava Foley, 6 months, and Paige Lavell, 1, were sweet as can be in their Rita’s float.
Dana Spoltore (nee Piccoli) of Somers Point dressed daughter Sophie, 23 months, like a lioness in her jungle-themed float.
The former Miss Ocean City and 2010 Ocean City High School graduate was in the parade for the second time with Sophie.
“Everybody goes all out, the babies are adorable. How can you not love it?” Spoltore said.
Molly Driscoll, 7, of New York City, was participating for the first time.
Mother Martha Driscoll said she has watched the parade many times but it was their first time participating.
“My cousins helped me build it,” Molly said.
Asked what she likes about pirates, she had an honest answer.
“They’re naughty,” she said.
Dino and Carrie of Exton, Pa., were watching the parade with twins Gracie and Emmy, 8.
“I saw somebody pulling a wagon with a lifeguard boat and said that’s gotta be a parade, so came up to watch,” Dino said.
In addition to the array of themed entries, participants included Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Hobo Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Marley Dwyer, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City and Junior Miss Ocean City contestants, a Minion float, the cast of “Grease.”
Winners
Bamberger Award
Names: Rhys & Cecelia Berry
Theme: OCNJ Grinch Patrol
Hanscom Award
Names: Agnes Edivan
Theme: The Cherry on Top!
Dahlhausen Award
Names: CeCe, Annie & Ryan Duncan
Theme: Sand-tastic Summer
Canale Award
Names: Mila & Asher Sabo, Emma Axten, Lucy & Michael Gonzales
Theme: Jolly Holiday For Mary Poppins
Soifer Award
Names: Elliot Tate Sullivan
Theme: Elliot’s Lobstah Kitchen
Greatest Distance Traveled
Names: Lainey & Abby Graham
Theme: Ocean City is “A-Buzz” (From:Batavia, IL)
Division A Section 100 Winner
Names: Cecelia Harrison
Theme: Under The Sea
Division A Section 100 Runner Up
Names: Ryder Smith
Theme: Ryder’s SummerOlympics
Division A Section 200 Winner
Names: Marietta Willis
Theme: Wee Rockette Marietta
Division A Section 300 Winner
Names: Kathleen & Devin Mahoney
Theme: Cinderella & Her Prince
Division B Section 400 Winner
Names: Nico Eleck
Theme: Pasta La Vista
Division B Section 400 Runner Up
Names: Paige Lavell & Ave Foley
Theme: Ice Ice Baby
Division B Section 500 Winner
Names: Cecelia & Noelle Carey, Jack & Clara Young
Theme: Winnie The Pooh
Division B Section 500 Runner Up
Names: Athena and Atlas Arzon-Butler and Rafa Amavizca
Theme: Peloton’s Tiniest Instructors
Division B Section 600 Winner
Names: Jack, Cameron & Mila Davis
Theme: S’More Fun in OC
Division B Section 600 Runner Up
Names: Molly & Aidan Driscoll
Theme: High Seas Adventure
Division C Winner
Names: Arabella & Juliet Czabator
Theme: OCNJ Tennis Tots
Division C Runners Up
Number: 709
Names: Sophie Spotore & Lizbeth Hoekstra
Theme: Safari Party
Names: Grace Labriola
Theme: It’s A Small World
Names: Jackson, Gracie & Willow Richards
Theme: A Day At The Beach in OCNJ
Names: Owen Bowker
Theme: 10 Year of Baby Parade Memories
Best Float: Minions of OCNJ
Best Musical Act: Grease Presented by the OC POPS and OCTC
– STORY and PHOTOS by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
