The 106th Wildwoods Baby Parade, a Wildwood tradition since 1909, takes place Tuesday, July 28, preceded by the Coronation Luncheon for 2015 Queen Oceania and her court on Monday, July 27 and the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest on Tuesday morning, July 28.
The Coronation Luncheon for 2015 Queen Oceania and her court will take place on Monday, July 27 at noon at Adam’s Restaurant located at 1700 Boardwalk in North Wildwood and is $20 per person; proceeds will benefit the Wildwoods Baby Parade. The young ladies being honored are Ms. Mia Alston, Ms. Hennessey Barry, Ms. Mia Capozzoli, Ms. Natacha Jimenez, Ms. Casey Lucas, Ms. Phoebe Melchiorre, and Ms. Lily Nguyen, all of whom are from the Wildwoods.
During the luncheon, last year’s Queen Oceania, Ms. Tara McBride, will crown one of these young ladies as the 2015 Queen Oceania. Queen Oceania will reign over the Wildwoods Baby Parade and greet thousands of spectators from atop the largest and final float in the parade, with the court by her side. Each young lady will serve as a community ambassador, attending parades and events for the next 12 months.
An exciting event for infants, toddlers and spectators alike, the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28 on the grassy circle in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center. This event encourages very young participants of walking or crawling age to show off their speed-crawling or “waddling” techniques to win fun prizes.
The contest is open to any speed-crawling babies 15 months and younger, and any waddling toddlers 24 months and younger. The event will have two categories – The Crawl and The Waddle – and participants will be encouraged by their parents to crawl or waddle to the edge of a colorful 45-foot diameter circle. The first participant in each category to crawl or waddle outside of the circle will be declared the winner. The winning crawler and waddler will each receive a family 4-pack to Morey’s Piers which includes a 3-hour session at either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis Waterparks and unlimited amusement rides at all three Morey’s Piers amusement parks.
Registration is FREE and begins at 9:30 a.m. the day of the event. The first 100 entries will receive a free sand bucket filled with fun prizes including a free ride on the carousel at Morey’s Piers, candy from Laura’s Fudge, and more.
The Wildwood Civic Club presents the 106th Wildwoods Baby Parade on Tuesday, July 28, a Wildwoods’ tradition since 1909. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. Registration will take place before the parade from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center, located at Burk Avenue and the Boardwalk in Wildwood, where the parade line-up will take place. Judging will take place during line-up and will end at 5:30 p.m. The parade will proceed north on the Wildwoods Boardwalk to 16th Avenue in North Wildwood, where prizes and awards will be announced.
For the first time ever, Grand Marshals of the 2015 Wildwoods Baby Parade will be team members of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. “The partnership with the Globetrotters should prove to be both playful and exciting!” said Kay Sparkman, parade chairwoman. The Harlem Globetrotters return to the Wildwoods Convention Center as part of their 2015 World Tour on Wednesday, July 29 through Saturday, August 1 at 7 p.m. nightly for four fun-filled shows. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com, or at the Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office.
Also making a special appearance in the Baby Parade is Maryann Getsinger, who was crowned Queen Oceania in 1944.
Complimentary trolley service will be available throughout the parade to transport participants between where the parade ends at 16th Street in North Wildwood to the Wildwoods Convention Center and parking areas in Wildwood. In the event of rain, the Baby Parade will be held the same day and time, but will move inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Participation in the Wildwoods Baby Parade is FREE and open to all children under 12 years of age. Parents can register their child in the following categories: Cutest Baby Boy, Cutest Baby Girl, Best Decorated Baby Carriage, Best Group Decorated Baby Carriage, Fanciest Children, Best Dressed, Best Decorated Theme on Wheels, and Best Decorated Group Theme on Wheels.
The 2015 Wildwoods Baby Parade Committee is working with the Lazarus House and asking contestants, family members and spectators to bring donations. Recommended items include the following: canned tuna and fruit, peanut butter, baby wipes, baby formula and diapers (all sizes).
For more information about the Wildwoods Baby Waddle and Baby Parade, call 609-729-4000 or visit the Wildwoods Baby Parade Facebook page.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.