The Pamper Scamper is a prelude to the Baby Parade. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
The 112th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, on the Boardwalk.
The annual tradition offers a chance for parents to show off Ocean City’s newest generation. The parade features children ages 10 and under cruising the Boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at 12th Street and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.
The parade is free to watch from either side of the Boardwalk. Spectators are welcome to bring beach chairs to watch from the railing along the ocean side of the Boardwalk. On the parade morning, the Boardwalk will close to bicycle traffic at 10 a.m.
In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Maura Dougherty, local dignitaries, local businesses, local organizations and more.
Each child receives a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade, and winners will receive their awards when they complete the parade at 12th Street. In addition to division awards, special honors will 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.
In the event of heavy rain, entries should still report to the Civic Center, where judging will take place. The parade will not proceed down the Boardwalk.
Registration remains open to anyone who wants to participate in the parade. For an online entry form and more information, visit ocnj.us/babyparade. Entry fee is $5 per child, and the registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9.
Ocean City’s Pamper Scamper, a crawling race among children 15 months old and younger, is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, on the beach at Sixth Street. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The event is an annual prelude to the city’s Baby Parade.
Babies are placed in the middle of a silk parachute on the sand. The first to crawl off the parachute into a parent or guardian’s waiting arms is declared the winner. Only crawlers can win this race. If one gets up and walks, he or she is disqualified.
The charming event is free to watch with great spots available on the Boardwalk looking down onto the competition area.
The Pamper Scamper is a prelude to the Baby Parade. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City)
TICKETS ON SALE FOR “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”
The Ocean City Pops Orchestra and the Ocean City Theatre Company (OCTC) will team up to present four performances of “The Sound of Music” at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center (beach block of Sixth Street) this week. The timeless musical features cherished songs and a memorable story.
Show times will be at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, 10 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 11. Visit the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, call 609-399-6111 oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice for more information and to purchase tickets ($25 to $30).
CONTESTS AND WEEKLY HAPPENINGS:
Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays continues at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the Ocean City Music Pier with a Hawaiian luau. Participants will create their own crab hat or tiki mask, and dads will compete in a hula hoop contest. No advance registration is required for this free family event.
The popular weekly Farmers Market
Shoppers pick up deals and lots of fruits and veggies at the Ocean City Farmers Market.
