Talk about cute. Rain held off long enough Thursday for crowds to enjoy the 114th annual Ocean City Baby Parade, where children were adorned in everything from silly to sweet costumes, as they rolled down the Boardwalk in strollers, wagens and floats.
Children ages 10 and under were dressed as lifeguards, French fries, firefighters, mermaids, cowboys, and one child was even a “lobster.”
The parade which went from Sixth Street to 12th Street is believed to be one of the oldest baby parades in the country. It gives parents a chance to shine a spotlight on their children.
Donna Mangini and her 2-year-old daughter, Gigi, live in Philadelphia, but they wouldn't miss the Ocean City Baby Parade.
Mangini’s father, Robert Wolford, is a longtime Ocean City resident. The parade is one of his favorite city events.
“It’s been a tradition to come to the parade and we are making it a tradition for Gigi,” Mangini said. “I was never actually in the parade growing up, so I think my dad loves Gigi doing it. We do the parade partly because of him. He loves it.”
Dana Cramsey, of Sea Isle City, entered her 17-month-old daughter, Olivia Roldan, in the parade. And despite Olivia’s young age, it was not her first parade.
Olivia handled the attention Thursday like a pro as she sat quietly in her float and smiled.
“This is a great event. It’s her third parade,” Cramsey said. “She loves it. We did the Wildwood parade and Cape May parade too.”
Cramsey, whose mother, Sherry Wegelin, also of Sea Isle, and their close family friend, “Pickle” McNichol also came along for the event.
Cramsey credited McNichol with creating the float.
“It took a couple of days,” McNichol said with a laugh of creating the float in his garage. “But it was worth it.”
Other families enjoyed the breezes, while wheeling their children's decorated strollers, pulling adorned wagons and pushed floats as they waved to spectators.
Jeff Labriola, of Clifton, Passaic County, who has a second home in Ocean City, said that his daughter, Grace, 4, who sat in a float which featured painted people and a castle, loves a good parade.
“This is her third year in the parade,” Labriola said. “She’s happy to be in the parade.”
In addition to the themed Baby Parade entries, bands serenaded spectators from Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra and the Hobo band.
There was also a float which honored veterans, with a flag backdrop. Veterans waved to the crowds.
Newly crowned Queen Infanta Marley Dwyer rode in a blue car. Little Miss Ocean City Stella Fleming, Junior Miss Sarah Avellino and Miss Ocean City Lola DeMarco smiled as they did their last official parade before new queens are chosen in the next two weeks.
The city’s mascot Martin Z. Mollusk sat comfortably in a lifeguard boat pulled by the Ocean City Beach Patrol and local officials and dignitaries were also a part of the parade. There was also a Minion float, the cast of “Grease,” courtesy of OCTC and other businesses, and organizations.
At the end of the parade, each child received a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade. Winners received their awards during a ceremony after the parade.
Each year, the division awards and special honors include the Leo Bamberger Founders Award, Hanscom Award, Dahlhausen Award, Canale Award, Outstanding Twins or Triplets, Baby Traveling the Greatest Distance to Participate, Best Float, Best Musical Act and the Mark Soifer Award. The city releases the results typically a day or two after the parade.
For more information about Ocean City visit ocnj.us or oceancityvacation.com.
Ocean City Baby Parade rolls down the Boardwalk
