Baby Parade Rolls Down Boardwalk Thursday
By MediaWize, OCNJDAILY
The 113th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10 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, the Hobo Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Callie Bellwoar, lifeguard boats celebrating the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s 125th anniversary, local dignitaries, local businesses, local organizations and more.
Each child receives a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade. 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 in heavy rain.
Registration remains open to anybody who wants to participate in the parade. For an online entry form and more information, visit ocnj.us/babyparade.
The Ocean City Fishing Pier will hold a tour on Aug. 10.
FISHING PIER OPEN HOUSE AND KIDS’ FISHING TOURNAMENT
An open house on the 14th Street Fishing Pier will return for the second time this summer from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. The Ocean City Fishing Club will welcome the public to tour its pier, which is usually restricted to club members. The open house coincides with the city’s Family Night on the Boardwalk.
The public is encouraged to bring non-perishable food or make a cash donation that will be given to the Ocean City Food Cupboard, a tradition that began in 2013 when the fishing club celebrated its centennial anniversary. Representatives from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center of Brigantine also will be on hand.
Fishing club members will guide visitors, answer questions and demonstrate casting and fishing techniques. The pier extends nearly 750 feet from the Boardwalk, over the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The club began a pier extension project in December 2020 to add about 113 feet to the structure. The addition was completed in the spring of 2021.
The Ocean City Fishing Club, founded in 1913, has a strong commitment to community involvement through its youth fishing tournaments, awarding scholarships, and advocating for recreational fishing. OCFC is the oldest continually operating fishing club in the nation.
The club’s Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, rain or shine, at the city’s north-end beach near the Ocean City-Longport bridge. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. for youth ages 8 to 16. Fishing will start at 10 a.m. and end at noon, followed by awards presentations.
‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’ IN OCEAN CITY
The Ocean City Pops and the Ocean City Theatre Company continue their performances of a stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved “Wizard of Oz,” features the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The show features a professional cast and orchestra with flying effects provided by ZFX.
Performances are at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center (within Ocean City High School at 501 Atlantic Avenue) with 7:30 p.m. shows on Aug. 8, 9, and 11; and a 2 p.m. matinee on Aug. 10. Tickets are $30 or $25 for 65-and-over and 12-and-under. Visit www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or call 609-399-6111 for tickets.
Miss Ocean City Grace Oves receiving her crown in 2022.
MISS OCEAN CITY PAGEANT ON SATURDAY
Miss Ocean City 2023 Grace Oves will be on hand to crown her successor, as contestants compete in interviews, talent, swimsuit, evening gown, and onstage questions at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
The Miss Ocean City Pageant this year has a travel theme of “Jet Set,” and the public is invited to attend to watch nine young women compete for the title. Miss Ocean City represents the city at events throughout the year, and all proceeds from the event benefit local scholarships.
Tickets ($15) are available at the Music Pier Box Office, online at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, or by phone at 609-399-6111.