Babies and beauties on the Wildwoods’ Boardwalk

This year’s Queen Oceana and her court, along with the shore’s most adorable babies, will parade the Wildwoods Boardwalk on August 6.
The Wildwoods Baby Parade has been a South Jersey tradition since 1909, with thousands of youngsters having taken part in the annual parade over the past 100 years.
Although only a small percentage of these adorable babies have won titles, all participants were winners in the end. Titles from the past and present include most attractive boy and girl, most original fancy carriage, cutest baby and best dressed.
All baby parade entrants are awarded ribbons, and the top three winners from each of the seven categories are awarded trophies.
In addition to showcasing the “Most Original” and “Best Dressed” babies, the Wildwoods Baby Parade also highlights some of the most beautiful young ladies at the shore: the newly crowned Queen Oceana and her Court, who also participate in the parade as they travel down the Boardwalk in their own special float.
Judging for this year’s Queen Oceana took place on June 17. Fifteen girls took part in the competition, all of them high school students from Wildwood High School and Wildwood Catholic High School.
In the end, Jeri Anne Gerace was named Queen Oceana 2009.1st Runner-up was Sarah Peterson, and the 2nd Runner-up was Stephanie Moya.
In addition to these three young ladies, a five-girl court has been added to Queen Oceana this year. The five young ladies voted into this year’s court are: Kirby Thorton, Danielle Sharkey, Catie Mateucci, Chrissy Casiello and Allie Wood.
Originally added to the parade as a “new twist” to the festivities in 1914, the Queen Oceana Pageant has become a summer tradition in its own right.
The first Queen Oceana crown went to Miss Tillie Woods, and within 15 years, the contest grew in popularity, attracting girls from 45 different New Jersey cities to compete for the crown.
The contest has even attracted girls from other states; the 1931 winner of Queen Oceana was from Cleveland, Ohio.
Queen Oceana has remained a prestigious title and now attracts some of the shore’s most beautiful young ladies to take part.
In one instance, a former baby parade winner grew up to be crowned Queen Oceana; Elaine Richman, Queen Oceana 1946, was also a first-place winner in the 1929 Baby Parade and a second-place winner in the 1932 parade.
In addition to the honor of being a part of that year’s court, pageant winners also receive prizes for their participation. Queen Oceana, herself, receives a $1,000 savings bond, along with a special sash that reads “Queen Oceana.”
The 1st and 2nd runners-up each receive a $250 savings bond. In addition, all three young ladies receive crowns.
Members of the pageant’s new five-girl court will each receive a $50 savings bond. Queen Oceana and her court also receive their own float in the Wildwoods Baby Parade.
A special luncheon for this year’s Queen Oceana and the runners-up will be held at noon on August 6 at Schellenger’s Restaurant, 3516 Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood.
Tickets for the luncheon are $20. To purchase tickets or for more information about this year’s Queen Oceana luncheon, please call Ms. Betty Collins at 609-522-6335.
Registration forms for the parade are now available at the Wildwoods Convention Center located at 4501 Boardwalk, the Wildwood Information Center located at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk and the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce office at 3306 Pacific Avenue.
The 100th Anniversary of the First Wildwoods Baby Parade will be held on August 6, at 6 p.m. Registration for the parade starts at 5 p.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
For more information about this year’s parade, call 609-729-4000.
Come take part in a Wildwoods tradition and marvel at this year’s Queen Oceana and her court during the 100th Anniversary of the First Wildwoods Baby Parade!