WILDWOOD, NJ – The Wildwoods’ annual Baby Waddle Contest and Baby Parade brought joy and adorable young participants from across the tri-state area for a weekend of fun-filled festivities. On July 25, the Baby Waddle event showcased speedy crawlers and fast-waddling toddlers. Divided into two categories – The Crawl and The Waddle – the little ones were encouraged by their parents to crawl or waddle from the center to the edge of a 45-foot diameter colorful parachute circle. The babies and toddlers who made their way out of the circle first were declared the winners.
In the Crawl category, Alice Hagan from Whippany, NJ, took the first-place position, displaying her exceptional crawling skills. Meanwhile, Ariella Mancar from Poughkeepsie, NY, impressed everyone with her winning waddling in The Waddle category. Each winner’s family was awarded a family 4-pack to Morey’s Piers and Water Parks, adding to the excitement of the event.
The Wildwoods Baby Parade, held on July 26, was a major hit, attracting the most adorable children from the region. Alongside the cute youngsters, creative floats, decorated carriages, and wagons paraded down the streets, drawing crowds of parents, family, friends, and vacationers. The Wildwoods Baby Parade is a beloved Jersey Shore tradition since 1909, and this year’s event proved that it remains one of the most anticipated and popular summertime gatherings for families in the Wildwoods.
After the parade, the winners from six categories were recognized for their charm and creativity. Here are the first, second, and third place winners from each category:
Cutest Baby Boy: 1st Place – J.J. Renz from Havertown, PA 2nd Place – Remy Farr from Philadelphia, PA 3rd Place – Luke Chew from Wallingford, PA
Cutest Baby Girl: 1st Place – Ryann Landgraf from Mickleton, NJ 2nd Place – Lina Broccoli from Lanoka Harbor, NJ 3rd Place – Mia Howey from Throop, NJ
Best Dressed: 1st Place – Paisley Horan 2nd Place – Margot Masker 3rd Place – Claire Kennedy
Best Themed Group: 1st Place – Olivia and Jack – 1950s Ice Cream Parlor theme 2nd Place – Jason and Damen – Creative ‘Blackout’ 2023 theme 3rd Place – Quinn, Chase, and Adrianna – Spooky Haunted Mansion theme
Small Float: 1st Place – Juliana Pawlowski – Doo Wop float 2nd Place – Chloe Marie Powell – Little Bo Peep float 3rd Place – Henry, Cole, and Jake – Peter Pan float
Large Float: 1st Place – Cole, Grace, and Ryleigh – Under the Sea float 2nd Place – Jackson, Haley, and Ally – Catch of the Day float 3rd Place – Matthew, James, and Thomas – The Rougher the Seas, The Smoother We Sail float
The Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest and Baby Parade created cherished memories for families and attendees, celebrating the spirit of community and the sheer joy of seeing the little ones thrive. For more information about the Wildwoods and its exciting events, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.