The 114th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 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: Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Hobo Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Marley Dwyer, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City and Junior Miss Ocean City contestants, a Minion float, the cast of “Grease,” 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 12 p.m. Tuesday, August 6.
Ocean City’s Pamper Scamper, a crawling race among children 15 months old and younger, is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 6 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.
FISHING PIER OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUG. 8
The Ocean City Fishing Club will welcome the public to tour its private 14th Street Pier 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 8, and to make donations to the local Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard.
The club joins a challenge made by Mayor Jay Gillian to donate non-perishable foods in memory of Regina Ralston, the manager of the Food Cupboard, who died earlier this year. Pier visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make cash donations. The open houses coincide with the city’s Mummers Nights on the Boardwalk.
The first of two open houses this month was held on Aug. 1 and included more than 1,000 visitors who donated 220 pounds of food and $1,924.
Fishing club members will be on hand to guide visitors and answer questions about the pier and the organization. The pier extends nearly 750 feet from the Boardwalk, over the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
CONTESTS AND WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays continues at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 7 with a Prince and Princess Party. Kids are encouraged to use their creativity to design their own prince or princess crown. No advance registration is required for this free family event.
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 Night on August 7 will include stilt walkers, magicians, favorite characters and more set up at different spots between Eighth Street and 12th Street on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Family Nights run 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday through the summer.
Mummers Night on Aug. 6 and 8 will feature string bands strutting the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14th Street. Mummers Nights run 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. Thursday (Aug. 8) for Market Days and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 6) for Funtastic Tuesday.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR ‘GREASE’ AUG. 6 TO 15
The Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops invite you to rock and roll with the hit musical “Grease” at the Hughes Performing Arts Center August 6 to 15.
The show features many recognizable hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’ ” and “We Go Together.” Additionally, several songs from the iconic movie including “You’re The One That I Want,” “Sandy,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” will be included with special arrangement by Robert Stigwood.
This collaborative production features a cast selected through a professional audition process and the talented musicians of the Ocean City Pops.
Performances run August 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, and 15 at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on August 8 and 15 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center (within Ocean City High School at 501 Atlantic Avenue). Visit www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or call 609-399-6111 for tickets.
BILL SCHEIBLE RETURNS TO OCEAN CITY POPS
At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 11, Ocean City Pops Conductor Emeritus Bill Scheible will return to the Ocean City Pops for one night and lead his former colleagues in a collection of standards and favorites.
For tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEATURES HERMAN’S HERMITS
Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noon will take the stage at the Ocean City Music Pier at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.
The English rock group made its name with No. 1 hits like “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am,” along with “I’m Into Something Good.”
Check the Music Pier Box Office for ticket availability or visit etix.com.
VILLANOVA FOOTBALL VISITS OCEAN CITY
On Monday, August 12, join Villanova Football for an open practice/scrimmage at Ocean City High School from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The Wildcats will then be available at the Music Pier from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a team autograph session. Schedule posters and markers will be provided. Admission to all events is free.
