The 115th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 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 9:30 a.m.
In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: Wild Bill’s Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Izzy McAllister, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City contestants, a Wizard of Oz float, Sponge Bob, 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 anybody 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 p.m. Monday, August 11.
Ocean City’s Pamper Scamper, a crawling race among children 15 months old and younger, is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 12 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 sponsored by Ocean City’s Bowfish Kids store.
‘Footloose’ shows continue through Aug. 14
The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra will continue their run of “Footloose” performances scheduled through Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center in Ocean City (within Ocean City High School at Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue).
Set to the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar- and Tony-nominated Top 40 score and enhanced with dynamic new songs, “Footloose” celebrates the importance of listening to young people while guiding them with warmth and an open mind. This production promises to be a highlight of the summer season that you will not want to miss.
The show runs on August 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m., and on August 14 at 2 p.m. For tickets ($27 to $32), visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
Ocean City pageants at the Music Pier
The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Taegen Vivarelli will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant. Tickets for the event are $15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
The Music Pier will host the annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in the pageant. Junior Miss Ocean City 2025 Sarah Smith will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service. Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Tickets for the event are $20 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.
Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City serve as ambassadors for the City of Ocean City at iconic traditions like Night in Venice, Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednesday activities and more.
Concerts at the Music Pier
The Orchestra starring former members of the Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II will perform at the Ocean City Music Pier at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18.
Check the Music Pier Box Office for ticket availability or visit etix.com.
The Ocean City Pops will put on ’80s Night at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 17 at the Ocean City Music Pier. Maestro Vince Lee will put on his rocker shoes, jump behind the keyboards, and jois a full rock band for a spectacular evening of music. “Don’t You Forget About Me” as you are doing the “Safety Dance,” while also hearing hits by Madonna, Pat Benatar and so much more.
For tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
More family fun all week
Wednesday (August 13) brings Wacky Wednesday with families invited to join the free event at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. This week’s theme is doughnut sculpting. Use your creativity to shape boardwalk doughnuts into your own masterpiece. The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle is open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday. The market features the best of fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors. Family Nights on Mondays and Wednesdays include stilt walkers, magicians, favorite characters and more set up at different spots between Eighth Street and 12th Street on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Thursday (August 14) brings Mummers Night. The event features string bands strutting the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through the summer. Downtown Asbury Avenue will feature entertainment, face-painters, balloon sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through the summer.
Friday (August 15) and Saturday (August 16) include the Summer Book Sale from the
Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library (1735 Simpson Avenue).
Hours for the cash-only sale are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
