Thousands of Ocean City Boardwalk visitors watched the 105th annual Ocean City Baby Parade on Thursday evening as the sun set on a warm and clear summer day.
The parade included more than 60 entries including more than 100 children ages 10 and under. They decorated strollers, wagons and small floats in a variety of themes and paraded from Sixth Street to 12th Street.
For the second year, the parade was held in the evening with a 5 p.m. start. The move has helped draw bigger crowds and cooler temperatures.
Mark and Toby Soifer were honored as grand marshals of the parade. Mark has served for 43 years as public relations director for Ocean City, and he has helped sustain resort traditions such as the Baby Parade.
He thanked his wife for her tireless support over the years.
"We have worked as a team," he said.
Winners of the Ocean City Baby Parade awards are as follows:
Leo Bamberger Founder Award
Nolan Hontz, 1 year and 9 months, Philadelphia, "Charlie Brown Waits for the Great Pumpkin," Gavin and Julie Hontz
Hanscom Award
Anna DiGeronimo (2 years and 4 months), Megan DiGeronimo (1 year and 3 months), Nicholas Oliveira (2 months), Salvatore Campione (5 years old), Cassandra Campione (2 years and 9 months); Summit, Cranford and Hoboken, N.J.; "Grammy's Library"; Mike and Tara DiGeronimo, Sarah Oliveira, Joanna Campione
Dalhausen Award
Payton Cook, 1 year and 4 months, Norristown, Pa., "Sunflower Beauty," Stan and Rosie Cook
Canale Award
Antonio Leo Lepore and Sophia Rose Lepore (twins at 2 years and 6 months), Leonardo, N.J., "Jersey Fresh Twins," Lauren and Massimo Lepore
Outstanding Twins
Kai and Keo Kohr (4 months), Ocean City, N.J., "Kohr Bros.," Dan and Andrea Kohr
Greatest Distance Traveled
Duncan Bell (18 months) and Leah Fedorchak (21 months), Seattle, Wash., "Tailgating With Ocean City's Littlest Biggest Fans," Ashley Bell
Best Float
Ocean City Theatre Company's Spotlight Performers
DIVISION A (Fancy)
Section 1 (Up to 2 years old)
First: Ava Wallis, 1 year and 3 months, Radnor, Pa., " 'Shore' Good Ice Cream," Craig and Dana Wallis
Second: Isaiah Sandorfi, 10 months, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., "The Little Aviator," Kylee Sandorfi
Third: Savannah Moulen, 8 months, Garwood, N.J., "I Love Ocean City, NJ," Grandparents Valerie Delevante and James Harmon; and Scarlett Rose Held, 3 months, Egg Harbor Township, N.J., "Early Girl Jersey Tomato," Nichole Kilpatrick and Sam Held
Honorable Mention: Finnegan Wilson ("Mr. Night in Venice"), Valentina Reilly ("Breakfast at Tiffany's") and Abigail Richert
Section 2 (ages 2 to 6)
First: Grace LaPorta, 3, Spring Hill, Fla., "Bee Shore to See O.C.," Dr. and Mrs. Lou LaPorta
Second: Teagn Beyer (3) and Delia Beyer (15 months), Fairfax, Va., "OC Treasure," Jared and Kelly Beyer
Third: Avery (5) and Jameson (3) Fox, Cherry Hill, N.J., "Ocean City's Sweet Treats, Debbie and Jim Fox
Honorable Mention: Eno Vierling (2) and Aubree Garcia, Voorhees, N.J., "Future American Sailors," Colleen Vierling (grandparent)
Section 3 (ages 7 to 10)
First: Sophia Neal (3), Madison Nelson (7) and Sebastian Lynch (1), Ocean City, "Summer Is Over, Hi Ho Hi Ho, Back to School We Go," Adrienne Marquette
Second: Joseph Dever (6), Brian Dever (5), Patrick Vorobec (6) and Kevin Dever (3), North Wales, Pa. "Lego — Everything Is Awesome in OC," Maureen Vorobec
Third: Ava Gandy-Callahan (8), Naomi Gandy (4), Sophia Gandy (1) and Mariahna Davis-Dale (8 months), Delran, N.J., "Ocean City's Luau Girls," Jeanie Gandy, Nancy Gandy and Melba Davis
DIVISION B (Comic)
First: Masey Heenan (5), Mallie Heenan (2) and Petey Brogan (3), Ocean City, "Ocean City Elf on the Shelf," Sadie Heenan
Second: Donald Cucuzzella (7) and Elizabeth Cucuzzella (4), Burlington, N.J., "Wrestlemania," Donald and Holly Cucuzzella
Third: Bentley Fetter (14 months), West Chester, Pa., "Beach Bum Baby" Justine and Steve Fetter
DIVISION C (Small Floats)
First: Madeleine Benner (2), Emma Major (7), Taylor Major (7), Riley Major (8), Naples, Fla., "Let It Go With Warm Hugs in Summer — FROZEN," Jennifer Benner
Second: Thomas Engler (8 months), Mullica Hill, N.J., "Best in OC ... Mister Chubbee Ice Cream," Marla and Tom Engler
Third: Owen Charles Bowker, 8 months, Steelmantown, N.J., "Youngest Civil War Re-enactor," Frank and Mera Bowker
DIVISION 800 (Late Entries)
First: Sofia Fabian, 9 months, Sicklerville, N.J., "Jersey Fresh," Jacquelyn Fabian
Second: Brayden McKenna, 5 months, Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
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