Baby Parade Returns to Boardwalk on Thursday for 116th Year

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OCEAN CITY
Baby Parade Returns to Boardwalk on Thursday for 116^th Year

The 116th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026 on the Boardwalk.

The annual tradition offers a chance for parents to show off Ocean City’s newest generation. The parade features children ages 10 and under cruising the Boardwalk in themed strollers, wagons and floats. It starts at Sixth Street with children finishing at 12th Street and all other entries continuing to 14th Street.

The parade is free to watch from either side of the boardwalk. Spectators are welcome to bring beach chairs to watch from the railing along the ocean side of the boardwalk. On the parade morning, the boardwalk will close to bicycle traffic at 9:30 a.m.

In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: the Absegami High School Marching Band, Interboro Marching Band, Gelana Brass Band, newly crowned Queen Infanta Abigail Herrington, a float honoring veterans, the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City contestants, a “Toy Story” float, local dignitaries, local businesses, local organizations and more.

Each child receives a memento at 12th Street for participating in the parade, and winners will receive their awards when they complete the parade at 12th Street. In addition to division awards, special honors will include the Leo Bamberger Founders Award, Hanscom Award, Dahlhausen Award, Canale Award, Outstanding Twins or Triplets, Baby Traveling the Greatest Distance to Participate, Best Float, Best Musical Act and the Mark Soifer Award.

In the event of heavy rain, entries should still report to the Civic Center where judging will take place. The parade will not proceed down the Boardwalk. 

Registration remains open to anybody who wants to participate in the parade. For an online entry form and more information, visit ocnj.us/babyparade. Entry fee is $5 per child, and the registration deadline is 11 p.m. Monday, August 10.

Ocean City’s Pamper Scamper, a crawling race among children 15 months old and younger, is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday, August 11 on the beach at Sixth Street. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. The event is an annual prelude to the city’s Baby Parade.

Babies are placed in the middle of a silk parachute on the sand. The first to crawl off the parachute into a parent or guardian’s waiting arms is declared the winner. Only crawlers can win this race. If one gets up and walks, he or she is disqualified.

The charming event is free to watch with great spots available on the boardwalk looking down onto the competition area. The Pamper Scamper is sponsored by Ocean City’s Bowfish Kids store.

‘SISTER ACT’ SHOWS CONTINUE THROUGH AUG. 13

The Greater Ocean City Theatre Company and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra will continue their run of “Sister Act” performances scheduled through Thursday, Aug. 13 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center in Ocean City (within Ocean City High School at Sixth Street and Atlantic Avenue). 

Based on the beloved 1992 film, “Sister Act” features infectious songs, high-energy dance numbers, and plenty of heart. Produced by the City of Ocean City and featuring the acclaimed Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the production continues the longstanding collaboration between OCTC and the Pops, bringing Broadway-caliber entertainment to audiences at the Jersey Shore. This partnership offers visitors the opportunity to experience professional musical theater accompanied by a full live orchestra.

Performances will take place August 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on August August 13 at 2 p.m. For tickets ($30 to $35), visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the Music Pier Box Office.

CHRIS JANSON BRINGS COUNTRY TO THE MUSIC PIER ON THURSDAY

Chris Janson will bring his “Wild Horses Untamed” tour to the Ocean City Music Pier on Thursday, August 13. The country music star’s No. 1 hits include “Buy Me A Boat,” “Good Vibes,” “All I Need Is You” and “Done.” He recently performed as part of the 250th Anniversary of the United States’ Armed Forces “America Salutes You” concert in Nashville. Janson has amassed more than 10 million in sales as a solo artist, and more than 15 million in sales combined with hits recorded by other notable artists such as Tim McGraw, LoCash and Hank Williams Jr. The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at www.oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice

SECOND FISHING PIER OPEN HOUSE SET FOR THURSDAY

The Ocean City Fishing Club invites visitors to tour its pier and clubhouse at 14th Street and the Boardwalk from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 13. Visitors will also be able to make an optional monetary donation or canned goods donation to support the Ocean City Food Cupboard. This is one of two days a year when the Pier is open to non-members, weather permitting. Rain date is August 14.

OCEAN CITY PAGEANTS AT THE MUSIC PIER

The Little Miss Ocean City Pageant starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The pageant will include girls ages 8 to 11 competing in talent and other categories. Reigning Little Miss Harper Juelg will crown her successor at the conclusion of the pageant. Tickets for the event are $15 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

The Music Pier will host the annual Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.  Contestants will compete in interview, talent, evening gown and onstage question in the pageant. Junior Miss Ocean City 2025 Arianna DiAntonio will crown her successor after a dynamic year of service.  Contestants range in age from 12 to 15 and are either year-round residents in Ocean City, attend Ocean City High School, or are the daughters of Ocean City property owners. Tickets for the event are $20 and will be available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

Miss Ocean City, Junior Miss Ocean City and Little Miss Ocean City serve as ambassadors for the City of Ocean City at iconic traditions like Night in Venice, Pamper Scamper, Baby Parade, Christmas Parade, Wacky Wednesday activities and more.

Ocean City has a full schedule of other events lined up for the week:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11

• Todd Rundgren at the Music Pier:  A native of Upper Darby, Pa., Rundgren launched his professional career with the band Nazz before pursuing a solo career and scoring hits like “Hello It’s Me,” “I Saw the Light,” “Can We Still Be Friends” and “Bang the Drum All Day.” Tickets are available at etix.com. 
• Mummers Night: String bands strut the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12

• Beach Exercise — Pilates Yoga: Free program (no registration needed) on the beach at Sixth Street starts at 8 a.m. Bring a towel and a friend.
• Farmers Market: Local farmers sell seasonal fruits, vegetables, baked goods and specialty foods on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle (Sixth Street and Asbury Avenue) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Crafters set up in the adjacent street.
• Wacky Wednesday: Use your creativity to design your own masterpiece out of doughnuts. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. This is part of a series of weekly family-friendly activities throughout the summer.
• 34th Street Sandcastle Park Summer Entertainment Series: The new weekly series will continue with Mummers Night. Families are invited to enjoy the music of string bands. The fun also will include a DJ, face-painting, a balloon artist and more. The series will celebrate a new theme each Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through August 26 at Sandcastle Park (3400 block between West Avenue and Asbury Avenue).

• Beach Walks: Free guided beach walk explores Ocean City’s coastal environment. Meet near the beach at 6:30 p.m. at 59^th Street and Central Avenue.

• Family Night on the Boardwalk: A variety of family-friendly entertainers — including magicians, musicians, characters and more — will be stationed on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

• Market Days: Ocean City’s downtown shopping district along Asbury Avenue features entertainment, face-painters, balloon-sculptors and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Mummers Night: String bands strut the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
  
   

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
 

• Lee Greenwood with the Ocean City Pops: Lee Greenwood is an American country artist who bridged the gap between traditional and contemporary country music. He is best known for his patriotic anthem “God Bless the USA.” The show is at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Pier. Tickets are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice.

MONDAY, AUGUST 17

• Indigo Girls at the Ocean City Music Pier: The folk-rock duo Indigo Girls first hit the charts with singles like “Closer to Fine” in the 1980s, and they have performed at the Music Pier in 2016 and 2018. Tickets available at etix.com.
• America 250 — Lights Over Ocean City Drone Show: Ocean City will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation this summer with a weekly patriotic drone show over the beach and boardwalk south of Sixth Street. The show will feature hundreds of drones lighting up the sky and creating animations that salute America. The 15-minute shows will be held at 9 p.m. on Mondays through August 24. The weekly event is made possible through a $25,000 grant from the Cape May County Board of Commissioners, sponsorships from Boardwalk merchants and city funding.
  
  
• Family Night on the Boardwalk: A variety of family-friendly entertainers — including magicians, musicians, characters and more — will be stationed on the Boardwalk between Sixth Street and 14^th Street.