The 109th Wildwoods Baby Parade, a Wildwoods tradition since 1909, takes place Wednesday, August 1 and kicks off this year with the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest on Tuesday, July 31. An exciting 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 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 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 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, August 1, the Wildwood Civic Club presents the 109th Wildwoods Baby Parade, a Wildwoods’ tradition since 1909. The Wildwoods Baby Parade will be honoring Mrs. Madeline Calloway, who celebrates her 100th birthday on August 1. Madelyn played an important part of the revival of the Wildwoods Baby Parade and was a member of the Evening Department of the Wildwood Civic Club for over 50 years, serving as Chairman of the department and various other committees as well as parade chairman for approximately 10 years. She has been a pillar in the community, taught elementary school in Cape May County for over 40 years and was recognized by the Borough of Wildwood Crest as an Outstanding Older American in 2008. Her dedication to the community has been exceptional and very much appreciated.
Registration will take place before the parade from 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Wildwoods Convention Center. Lineup begins immediately following at Hand Avenue and the parade kicks off at 6 p.m. in front of the Wildwoods Sign on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. Judging will take place during line-up at the Wildwoods Sign and will end at 5:45 p.m. The parade will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and will proceed on a new parade route – north on the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Montgomery Avenue where the parade will proceed down the ramp and cross over from Ocean Avenue into Fox Park for free fun activities, games, mascot photo opps, and bounce houses for children participating in the Parade. The revised route for the promenade allows more of an individual focus on each participant leading up to this Participant Festival in Fox Park.
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, August 2.
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.