THE WILDWOODS – The 108th Wildwoods Baby Parade, an exciting Wildwoods tradition since 1909, takes place Wednesday, Aug. 2 and kicks off this year with the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
A thrilling event for infants, toddlers and spectators alike, the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest will take place at 10:30 a.m. 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 crawling babies 15 months and younger, and 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 four-pack to Morey’s Piers which includes a three-hour session at either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis Waterparks and unlimited amusement rides at all three Morey’s Piers amusement parks.
Registration for the Baby Waddle Contest 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.
On Wednesday, Aug. 2, the Wildwood Civic Club presents the 108th Wildwoods Baby Parade, a Wildwoods’ tradition since 1909. The Wildwoods Baby Parade will take place this year in memory of lifelong Wildwood Civic Club Member and Wildwoods Baby Parade Chairperson, Mrs. Betty Collins.
The Wildwoods Baby Parade Committee has changed the route of the parade in order to focus on and celebrate the children. They have added a promenade and participant festival with bounce houses, mascot photo opportunities and games in Fox Park.
The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center on the Wildwoods Boardwalk at Burk Avenue. Registration will take place before the parade from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center, where the parade line-up will take place. Judging will take place during line-up and will end at 5:45 p.m. The parade will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and will proceed south on the Wildwoods Boardwalk to the iconic Wildwoods Sign for photo opportunities; then proceed north on the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Burke Avenue, crossing over to Fox Park for the kids promenade and fun. Prizes and awards will be announced at 7:45 p.m. Queen Oceania 2018 will also be honored at the Wildwoods Baby Parade.
The rain date for the Baby Parade and Participant Festival will be Thursday, Aug. 3.
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 Walking Themed Group, Fancy Children, Best Dressed, Best Decorated Theme on Wheels and Best Decorated Group Theme on Wheels.
For more information about the Wildwoods Baby Waddle and Baby Parade, please call (609) 729-4000.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call (800) 992-9732.