By: Follow South Jersey Staff
WILDWOOD, N.J. — Beach babies will take center stage at the 113th Wildwoods Baby Parade on Wednesday, July 26.
The festivities begin with the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest on Tuesday, July 25. An event for infants, toddlers, and spectators alike, the Wildwoods Baby Waddle Contest will take place at 9:30 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. Participants will be placed in the center of a colorful 45-foot diameter circle and encouraged by their parents to crawl or waddle to the edge. The first in each category to crawl or waddle outside of the circle will be declared the winner.
Registration for the Baby Waddle is free and begins at 9:00 a.m. the day of the event. The first 40 entries will receive a free beach bucket filled with goodies.
On Wednesday, July 26, the Wildwood Civic Club presents the 113th Wildwoods Baby Parade, a Wildwoods’ tradition since 1909.
The parade will step off at the Wildwoods Convention Center at 6 p.m. and proceed 10 blocks north on the Boardwalk to Cedar Avenue where it will end. The announcements of the winners and presentation of awards will be conducted at the Cedar Avenue Boardwalk extension across from Morey’s Mariners Landing Amusement Pier, immediately following the parade. The Sightseer Tram Cars will be the Grand Marshal in this year’s parade in honor of their 75th Anniversary of Operation.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged and available at https://www.facebook.com/wildwoodsbabyparade or https://bit.ly/WildwoodsBabyParade2023. Day-of registration will take place before the parade from 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. No entries will be accepted after 5:30 p.m. Judging will take place while participants are lined up for the parade. Line-up begins at 5:30 p.m. and the parade steps off at 6 p.m. sharp.
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 (under 12 months, undecorated stroller), Cutest Baby Girl (under 12 months, undecorated stroller), Individual Best Dressed, Best Themed Group, Small Float (decorated wagon or stroller), and Large Float. Please note, motorized or battery-operated vehicles are not permitted in the parade.
For more information about the Wildwoods Baby Waddle and Baby Parade, please call 609-729-9000. For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
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