By MADDY VITALE
Babies took over the Ocean City Boardwalk in toy cars and tractors. Some were dressed as little lifeguards, while others were Disney characters, farmers and even a watermelon.
From elaborate floats featuring jungle or beach scenes to decorated wagons and strollers with children tucked in among balloons and other adornments and costumes, there was a whole lot of cuteness going on at the 113th annual Ocean City Baby Parade on Thursday morning.
Judging by the smiles, waves and applause, the crowds that lined the boards seemed to be having a great time.
The parade featured children ages 10 and under. The procession started at Sixth Street and finished at 12th Street for the children entered in the parade. Marching bands, Ocean City beauty pageant winners and others in the parade finished at 14th Street.
Lindsay and Tim Reed, of Northfield, decided to enter the parade with their 18-month-old daughter, Madelyn, and make it a family tradition. They created a jungle scene with a swing for Madelyn, with the help of Lindsay’s father, Scott Carignan.
“She is our little jungle girl,” Lindsay said with a laugh. “She is obsessed with animals, so my dad thought it would be a good theme.”
Lindsay, 28, who grew up in Somers Point, was in the parade when she was little and wanted to make it a part of her daughter’s childhood.
In addition to the array of themed parade entries, there were the Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, the Ocean City Theatre Company, the Hobo Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Callie Bellwoar, lifeguard boats celebrating the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s 125th anniversary, as well as floats for current crown holders and contestants for upcoming Ocean City pageants.
Ken Luciani made a float for his 6-year-old grandson, Luca Chmielewski, of Bridgeport, Pa.
The theme: “Please don’t feed the seagulls,” Luciani said.
“My dad thought of it. This is Luca’s fifth year in the parade,” Luca’s mother, Cheryl Chmielewski, said.
Everything from pretend Wawa hoagies, to pizza boxes, popcorn, French fries and Doritos surrounded Luca, who sat in a beach chair. Wooden seagulls hovered overhead.
“You sit on the beach and see people holding food to try to feed the seagulls and others are trying to hide their food,” Luciani said. “I thought it was a creative theme for us this year.”
Gil and Sandra Welsford, of Ocean City, chose a fitting theme for living at the shore.
Their children, 10-month-old Gilbert, and 2-year-old Marielle, were in an “Under the Sea” themed wagon.
Their wagon was festooned with a bright pink “octopus” stuffed animal, blue and white balloons and a bubble machine.
Like the Reeds and the Chmielewski families, the Welsfords plan to make the baby parade an annual tradition for their family.
“I was in the parade 29 years ago. Now, I am 33,” Gil Welsford said, adding that he wants their children to enjoy it as he did.
Each child received a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade. Awards were given out when they completed the parade.
In addition to division awards, special honors included 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.
See list of winners after photos.
Award winners are as follows:
Bamberger Award
Number: 706
Names: Jackson Richards, Gracie Richards, Willow Richards
Theme: Thomas & Friends Ride the Waves in OCNJ!
Hanscom Award
Number: 707
Names: Elliot Tate Sullivan
Theme: Elliot’s Blueberry Farm
Dahlhausen Award
Number: 701
Names: Owen Bowker
Theme: Celebrating 70 Years of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts!
Canale Award
Number: 704
Names: Avery Huber
Theme: Dunkin’Donuts Newest Munchkin
Soifer Award
Number: 710
Names: Luca Chmielewski
Theme: Seagull Scene in Ocean City!
Most Outstanding Twins or Triplets
Number: 703
Names: Angelica Builes, Benjamin Builes, Christopher Builes
Theme: The Three Little Monkeys!
Greatest Distance Traveled
Number: 506
Names: Jack Young
Theme: Congo Falls Mini Golf
From: Rochester, New York
Division A Section 100 Winner
Number: 100
Names: Ellie Rose Viola
Theme: Ellie Rose’s Garden
Division A Section 200 Winner
Number: 202
Names: Grace Labriola
Theme: Disney’s 100th Anniversary
Division A Section 200 Runner Up
Number: 204
Names: James Hammerstedt
Theme: 125 Year of OCBP
Division A Section 300 Winner
Number: 300
Names: Lillian Albright, TJ Dickinson, Samantha Dickinson
Theme: Future Leaders of Ocean City!
Division A Section 300 Runner Up
Number: 301
Names: Tierney Kane and Liam Kane
Theme: Be Our Guest in Ocean City!
Division B Section 400 Winner
Number: 427
Names: Kaleb Bennett Torres
Theme: Rubber Duckey, You’re The One
Division B Section 400 Runner Up
Number: 426
Names: Sophie Spoltore
Theme: Sophie Snow White
Division B Section 500 Winner
Number: 503
Names: Taylorann Larsen
Theme: No Crying in Baseball or in Ocean City!
Division B Section 500 Runner Up
Number: 501
Names: Rhys Berry and Cecelia Berry
Theme: Sister for Sale
Division B Section 600 Winner
Number: 602
Names: Lyla Rakler, Sabrini Rakler, Alex Rakler and Nicky Rakler
Theme: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Division B Section 600 Runner Up
Number: 650
Names: Amelia Summers, Isaish Summers, Fiona Summers
Theme: Jaw-some Fun in Ocean City!
Division C Winner
Number: 705
Names: Madelyn Reed
Theme: NJ of the Jungle
Division C Runners Up
Number: 702
Names: Nathan Brookes
Theme: Ocean City’s Only Farmer
Number: 700
Names: Beckett Adams, Kenna Adams and Brooks Adams
Theme: Winterland Royalty
Number: 711
Names: Gilbert Welsford and Marielle Welsford
Theme: Under the Sea in Ocean City
Best Float: Toy Story from Let’s Party Events
Best Musical Act: Absegami Marching Braves
