Baby Parade

Started in 1901 by Leo Bamberger, founder of New Jersey's Bamberger's Department Store chain, the Baby Parade that takes place along the boardwalk at the seaside resort of Ocean City on the second Thursday in August each year allows children up to the age of 10 to participate and compete for prizes. There are four different divisions: Division A is for children in decorated strollers, go-carts, wagons, etc., and is further divided into three sections according to the age of the child; Division B features children in comically decorated vehicles, as well as walkers; Division C is for floats; and Division D is for larger commercial and noncommercial floats. The children are reviewed by the judges as they walk or wheel along the boardwalk from Sixth Street to Twelfth Street, and every child who enters receives a sterling silver identification bracelet. Cash prizes are given to the best entry in each division. More than 50,000 spectators are drawn to the Ocean City Baby Parade each year.

CONTACTS:
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce
854 Asbury Ave.
P.O. Box 157
Ocean City, NJ 08226
609-399-1412; fax: 609-398-3932
www.oceancityvacation.com

SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 118