OCEAN CITY — “Try to keep it on the plate” was Noah Hammad’s advice for victory in the Wacky Wednesday Pie Eating Contest last week under the loggia at the beachfront Ocean City Music Pier.
The 8-year-old should know — not only did he take home a red ribbon last year for his pie-eating prowess but he earned a blue ribbon in 2022, beating out a long table of competitors shoulder to shoulder.
Fahd Hammad said he brought his son from their home in Swedesboro, Gloucester County, to defend his title.
“He made me get up this morning and drive down,” he said.
Taking part in the city’s many family-friendly events, island royalty Miss Ocean City Maddyn Randazzo, Junior Miss Ocean City Makenna Fleming and Little Miss Ocean City Arianna DiAntonio showed the crowd how proper princesses eat pastries — with no hands.
Arianna clearly “won” the contest even though she, Maddyn and Makenna swiped each other’s pies to get the advantage and all three gave up before they ate the last crumbs. Maybe they’ll be better at sculpting french fries during Wacky Wednesday this week — events begin at 10:30 a.m. all summer.
“I just love all the people who come out and do all these fun contests,” said Randazzo, a student at The Ohio State University. “It’s great to see all the little kids having fun with their families, and we get to participate in the fun.”
“I love seeing how creative they are with all of the different events,” Arianna said.
“They are so cute when they have to work with new things,” Makenna added.
Sara Jackson of Lancaster, Pa., was first in line with Luke, 4.
John Earnest, 48, and wife Kimberly Kraky, of Woodstown, Salem County, brought children Cayden, 11, and Reagan, 9.
Kraky said their place is near Ninth Street so they park their car and walk everywhere while visiting America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Cayden loves miniature golf, especially at Pirate Island Golf.
“I like to go to the beach,” Reagan said.
They took part in last year’s Hawaiian Luau, competing in a hula-hoop contest and making necklaces.
Samantha Heckler of the city’s Community Services Department said during the season-opening Wacky Wednesday on June 29 that she was looking forward to the return of the luau Aug. 10.
She said there would be tiki masks and crab hats to color, as well as a chance to laugh at Dad during a hula-hoop contest.
Upcoming events are Christmas in July on July 20, Mystery Bag on July 27, That’s How the Cookie Crumbles on Aug. 3, Hawaiian Luau on Aug. 10 and Prince and Princess Party on Aug. 17.
“I love the extra activities they have for the kids,” Kimberly Kraky said, noting they took part in the North Street Easter egg hunt earlier this year.
“We try to spend 30 to 40 days down here,” Earnest said.
Jim Cahill, 37, and AJ Cahill, 10, of Yardley, Pa., were hanging with a woman sporting a “Cool Mom” shirt and some siblings but were the only two cool enough to compete.
Kimberly Costello and family flew in from Orlando in time for the contest. The Holy Spirit High School graduate was born and raised in Ocean City, so she brought her husband, Thomas, and children Florence, 8, Blake, 6, and Jack, 3, to try their hand … err … mouth at pie-eating.
“We get to be a family at America’s Greatest Family Resort,” Costello said of why they love Ocean City. “We do all of the family-fun activities.”
Florence, who won a ribbon for her taffy-sculpting skills the prior week, said she likes the beach the most.
Scott Cooper, 35, entered the adult competition at the urging of his children … and won.
“This is my first time,” he said.
What was the key to winning?
“My children, right there,” he said, pointing at Caroline, 5, and Cole, 3. “They told me I had to win.”
He said it also helps to tackle it while hungry.
“I didn’t eat any breakfast,” he said.
STORY By CRAIG D. SCHENCK, PHOTOS By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
