Ocean City Events This Week: Baby Parade, Miss Ocean City Pageant

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City’s annual baby parade, Broadway by the Beach performances and the Miss Ocean City Pageant are happening this week. (See full schedule below.)

The 111th annual Ocean City Baby Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 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 10 a.m.

In addition to the array of themed Baby Parade entries, participants will include: Ed Coles Entertainers, the Fred Hall Orchestra, the Absegami High School Marching Band, the newly crowned Queen Infanta — Giovanna “Joey” Dattilo, 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 new 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. Participants also can sign up at the Welcome Center on the ground floor of City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. Entry fee is $5 per child, and the registration deadline is noon Wednesday, August 11.

More events happening in Ocean City this week:

Tuesday, Aug. 10 through Friday, Aug. 13

Ocean City’s Broadway series returns with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Aug. 10 to Aug. 13 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center. This Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of six eccentric kids vying for first prize, bragging rights, and, most importantly, a trip to the National Spelling Bee Competition.

The fully staged musical collaborations of the Ocean City Theatre Company and Ocean City Pops delight audiences summer after summer, and this production marks the return of Broadway by the Beach after shows were canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Tickets range from $25 to $30 and are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Wednesday, Aug. 11

Ocean City’s “Wacky But Not Tacky” series of Wacky Wednesdays continues at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 11 at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event invites families and individuals to participate in various activities and contests. This week, families will participate in a “Hawaiian Luau.” The event will include a craft and a hula hoop contest for dads. No advance registration is required for this free family event.

The popular weekly Farmers Market on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle continues 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 29. The market features fresh produce from local farms in the region, along with a variety of craft vendors.

The Friends of The Ocean City Pops present a performance by Andrea McArdle 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean City Tabernacle. McArdle rocketed to stardom as Broadway’s original "Annie," for which she was the youngest performer ever nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. On Broadway, she also originated the roles of Ashley in “Starlight Express” and Margy in “State Fair” and was seen as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” and as Fantine in “Les Miserables.”

Tickets range from $25 to $35 and are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Thursday, Aug. 12

Market Days entertainment and activities on downtown Asbury Avenue will run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and continue Thursday mornings through the season.

Family Night entertainers at various blocks on the Ocean City Boardwalk will perform Thursday evenings 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 14

The Miss Ocean City Pageant begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ocean City Music Pier. Miss Ocean City 2020 Mary Grace Jamison will be on hand as contestants compete in interview, talent, swimsuit, evening gown and on-stage question. Contestants must be between the ages of 16 and 22. For more information, call 609-399-6111. Tickets range are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Sunday, Aug. 15

The Ocean City Pops orchestra will feature the vocal talents of Michael James Scott. Before his return to Broadway as the Genie in Disney’s ‘Aladdin,’ this versatile performer will come to the Ocean City Music Pier for a 7:30 p.m. show with the Pops. Scott originated roles in Broadway productions of ‘Elf,’ ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Something Rotten!” Tickets range from $20 to $25 and are available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, 609-399-6111 or the Music Pier Box Office.

Monday, Aug. 16

The 1960s pop rock sensations Tommy James and the Shondells will perform hits like “Hanky Panky,” “Crimson and Clover” and “Mony Mony.” This Summer Concert Series show begins at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com or at the Music Pier Box Office.

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.