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Cuteness Factor Soars at Ocean City Baby Parade

This cupcake cutie enjoys the 2022 Baby Parade.

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By MADDY VITALE There was a whole lot of adorable on the boards Thursday for the 112th annual Ocean City Baby Parade. Babies dressed as ballerinas, as peacocks and even one in a miniature “Top Gun” fighter jet took center stage as hundreds of spectators lined the Boardwalk. People marveled at the cute sights and took pictures. Children from infants up to age 10 cruised along in themed strollers, floats, wagons and even toy cars. Jeff Labriola, of Clifton, N.J., pushes his daughter, Grace, 2, in her "ice cream cart." Dana Heck, of Cherry Hill, brought her 9-month-old daughter, Savannah, dressed as a cupcake in a brightly covered wagon. Heck said the history of the parade makes being in it all the more special. “We had fun prepping for the parade,” Heck said, as she pulled Savannah’s wagon. Heck's mother, Darlene Aaron, of Ocean City, walked beside her. “I love it. But it is the fact that it is 112 years that is so amazing. It is fun being a part of it,” Heck added. Heck and her family were among many families who joined in the parade. Savannah Heck, 9 months old, of Cherry Hill, is a cupcake cutie. 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. In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants included: Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Maura Dougherty, local dignitaries, businesses and organizations. There were also floats for current crown holders and contestants for upcoming Ocean City pageants. Robin Vitale, of Woodbridge, N.J., and her daughters, Alex, in front, and Ella are peacocks. Robin Vitale, of Woodbridge, N.J., and her daughters Alex, 4, and Ella, 2, were dressed as peacocks. “I grew up coming to Ocean City,” Vitale said. “We are in the parade every year since Alex was born and love it.” While some families may have purchased their kids’ costumes and decorations from stores or made them, sisters Arabella Czabator, 3, and Juliet Czabator, 7, of Downingtown, Pa., dressed as ballerinas with some help from their home décor, thanks to their parents, Jessica and Mike Czabator. “We thought we could bring our home to a float,” joked Jessica, who, like Mike, was also dressed as a ballerina. Gage Smith, 1, of Williamstown, N.J., is "Goose" from Top Gun, with dad, Robert and brother, Asher, walking behind, as mom, Kiersten, pulls the fighter jet. Paula White, of Collegeville, Pa., gave her 22-month-old granddaughter, Delaney Lesczynski, also of Collegeville, her very own “horse” in a float called “Carousel Cutie.” While awards are given out each year, White said it is a family tradition. She and her daughter were part of the parade for many years. Now that her daughter is grown, White takes her granddaughter. “We enjoy keeping the tradition going,” she said. Each child received a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade. Awards were given out when they completed the parade at 12th Street. Paula White with her granddaughter, Delaney Lesczynski, both of Collegeville, Pa., in "Carousel Cutie." Ghost Busters! Cyclists give a show. A contestant zips along. Miss Ocean City contestants wave at the crowd. Miss Ocean City Maddyn Randazzo gets a ride in a lifeguard boat. Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce employee Rose Savastano leads a division of contestants. Bands perform in front of the Music Pier. Award winners are as follows: Bamberger Award Number: #201 Names: Arabella Czabator & Juliet Czabator Theme: The OC Ballerina Sisters! Hanscom Award Number: #102 Names: Parker Young Theme: Return to Mr. McGregor’s Garden Dahlhausen Award Number: #503 Names: Elizabeth Fox, Bradley Trinkner & Jackson Fox Theme: Cruella DeVil Canale Award Number: #200 Names: Rhys Berry Theme: USPS Soifer Award
Number: #706 Names: Elliot Tate Sullivan Theme: Elliot the Milkman Most Outstanding Twins or Triplets Number: 506 Names: Joseph & Jayson Petrini Theme: Life is Sweet in OC! Greatest Distance Traveled Number: 103 Names: Anna Evelyn Koffler Theme: Southwest Sweetie Anna From: Santa Fe, New Mexico Division A Section 100 Winner Number: #101 Names: Paula White Theme: Carousel Cutie Division A Section 100 Runner Up Number: #100 Names: Cecelia Carey Theme: Celebrating 70 Years & 5 Generations in OC! Division A Section 200 Winner Number: #202 Names: Grace Jean Labriola Theme: Grace’s Ice Cream Division A Section 200 Runner Up Number: #203 Names: Ella Vitale & Alex Vitale Theme: In a world of Ducks, be a Peacock Division A Section 300 Winner Number: #300 Names: Delia Beyer, Jonas Beyer & Quentin Beyer Theme: Pirate Ship Division A Section 300 Runner Up Number: #301 Names: Tierney Rose Kane & Liam Patrick Kane Theme: The Belle and Beau of Ocean City Division B Section 400 Winner Number: #409 Names: Taylorann Jane Larsen Theme: Meet the Flintstones Division B Section 400 Runner Up Number: #404 Names: Lainey Graham Theme: Chicago Style Hot Dog Division B Section 500 Winner Number: #506 Names: Joseph Petrini, Jayson Patrini, Quincy Long & Madelyn Long Theme: Life is Sweet in OC Division B Section 500 Runner Up Number: #502 Names: Gianna Every Theme: Roaring '20s Division B Section 600 Winner Number: #602 Names: Fiona McMaster, Isaiah McMaster & Amelia McMaster Theme: Aloha From Pennsylvania Division B Section 600 Runner Up Number: #603 Names: Asher Smith & Gage Smith Theme: Goose & Maverick Fly By OC! Division C Winner Number: #701 Names: Owen Bowker Theme: Jaws Division C Runner Ups Number: #704 Names: Jackson Van Richards & Gracie May Richards Theme: Thomas The Tank Engine Number: #702 Names: Luca Chielewski Theme: Herme The Crab Best Float: Minions of Ocean City             Best Musical Act: Ocean City Stompers Band
STEWARTVILLE

JERSEY SHORE WEEKEND

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