‘Goo-Goo Gala’

Hundreds of beautiful babies and youngsters, all dressed to impress, will roll down the Wildwoods Boardwalk in wobbly wagons, streaming strollers and a creative assortment of other float-style vehicles decorated in imaginative themes as they participate in the 99th Annual Wildwoods Baby Parade, Thursday, August 7, beginning at 6 p.m.
The Annual Wildwoods Baby Parade, the oldest continuous baby parade in New Jersey, has been presented since 1909. The tot jamboree is free of charge for participants and adoring spectators, and starts on the Boardwalk at the Wildwoods Convention Center 4501 Boardwalk, and continues down the boards into North Wildwood at 16th street.
Both residents and visiting children from infants to 11 years of age are welcome to participate in this “goo-goo” gala, with entries judged in several categories, including most attractive (under 12 months), fancy children (strollers, wagons, comic) or most original (strollers, wagons), best dressed (walking) and floats.
Category winners receive trophies and all contestants receive a ribbon for participating.
Along with the babies, the parade’s official “royal” representative, Queen Oceania and her court, which are selected from among interested area high school students for their character, maturity and interest in the Wildwoods, conclude the baby parade on a special float.
The Wildwoods Baby Parade has been the inspiration for many similar contests all over the Jersey Shore area and across the country.
Grand Marshals of the 2008 event are Will and Jack Morey, of Morey’s Piers and Beachfront Waterparks. In lieu of a registration fee, the families of baby parade participants are invited to make a donation to the Cape May County United Way Food Campaign.
Baby Parade Registration will begin at 5 p.m. and the parade will line up at 5:30 p.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center located at 4501 Boardwalk.
Entry forms are available at the Wildwoods Convention Center, the Wildwood Information Center located at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk, the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce at 3306 Pacific Avenue and the Nesbitt Information Center in Wildwood Crest on Rambler Road.
For additional information on the Baby Parade or to visit the Wildwoods, contact the Wildwoods Tourism Authority toll-free at 800-WW-BY-SEA (800-992-9732) or on the web at WildwoodsNJ.com.