By Maddy Vitale
Janel and Tim Martinez, of Lansdale, Pa., walked along the Ocean City Boardwalk decked out in their best Easter outfits.
Their 2-year-old twins, T.J. and Olivia, may have topped them in the spiffy category.
T.J. wore a purple vest and purple pants, while Oliva was adorned in a floral dress with a rose colored ribbon.
The family, who summers in Ocean City, wasn’t just out for an Easter stroll.
The Martinez family had a place in mind to showcase their outfits — at the Ocean City Fashion Promenade on the Music Pier. Families flaunted their fancy threads and some over-the-top Easter bonnets for onlookers and judges at the annual Boardwalk show.
“This is the first time we are doing the fashion show,” Janel Martinez said. “The weather is awesome. It couldn’t be any better.”
The Martinez family, along with many others, took to the stage during a lively event where the cuteness factor was high and emcee Michael Hartman, the city’s Special Events coordinator, joked with the kids throughout the show.
“Suspenders are hard to rock, and you are pulling it off,” Hartman joked with one of the kids.
At one point, a little girl was so comfortable on the stage, announcing where she lived and her name before being asked, that Hartman handed her the microphone, joking that she could take over the show.
Junior Miss Ocean City Julia Wilson and Miss Ocean City Megan Keenan helped Hartman give out awards and plaques to the winners in the different categories.
But when it came to the kids, everyone wins in divisions newborn to 2 years old, 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old, and with good reason.
Judging by the spectators who oohed and aahed as children strolled onto the stage it was nearly impossible to pick.
Little girls were dressed in pastel colored dresses. Some wore technicolor bonnets and ornate, jewel-encrusted headbands. Little boys wore grown-up suits, including a seersucker outfit.
There was even a boy dressed as a bunny carrying an egg.
The cuteness factor was way off the charts.
Some of the adults in the fashion show were regulars to the event. Lori Lawrence, of Ocean City, said she has been doing it for years and she loves being a part of it.
Hartman said the Phillips family, of Philadelphia, has been in the Fashion Promenade for so long that when they stop being a part of it, he will, too.
Bill Phillips said he and his family enjoy dressing up and being involved in the Fashion Stroll every year.
The judges liked them, too.
In addition to the stroll was the Dueling Pianos show, which kept the crowds entertained before and after the Fashion Promenade. There were also photos with the Easter Bunny.
The full list of Fashion Promenade winners is as follows:
Best Dressed Teen Male went to Connor Fitzgerald, of Bryn Mawr, Pa. Rebecca Kessler of Manahawkin took Best Dressed Teen Female.
Best Dressed Gentleman went to Jack Devine of Ocean City and Best Dressed Woman went to Marie Campanile of Philadelphia.
Best Dressed Couple went to siblings Benjamin and McKenzie Merrifield of Somers Point.
Most Unusual Bonnet went to Lori Lawrence of Ocean City. Best Easter Bonnet went to Sophia Colvin, of Warren, Pa., and Best Dressed Family went to the Phillips family of Philadelphia.
