“There were three prizes, gold medals, of equal value and size, for the prettiest, cutest and fattest babies.”

So stated The Ocean City Daily, the Ocean City newspaper of the day, in its Aug. 12, l901 edition, reporting on Ocean City’s First Baby Show.

Also stated in the article, “The baby show on the Casino pier Saturday was a success in every way and proved the greatest attraction that has yet been provided for summer visitors.

The choice was decided by ballot, each visitor being entitled to vote once. There were babies in coaches and infants in arms, and babies who walked proudly at their mothers’ sides, and talk about pretty babies, why this might have been a beauty show.”
That first year, a total of 46 babies paraded on the boardwalk.

On Thursday, Aug. 9, Ocean City will host its 98th Annual Baby Parade, which now has the distinction of being the oldest baby parade in the nation.

Leo Bamberger and John Glaspell are credited with beginning this event back on Aug. 10, 1901.

That year, 1901, saw Theodore Roosevelt take over as the 26th President of the U.S. which then had a population of about 77 million, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded, the Commonwealth of Australia was formed, and Walt Disney was born.

Bamberger had been a photo engraver and labor leader, who along with Samuel Gompers, was a force behind making Labor Day a national holiday.

Bamberger would later return to be the Grand Marshal of the 50th Anniversary Baby Parade which was held on Aug. 6, 1959.
During World Wars I and II, no baby parades had been scheduled.

For 36 years, Evelyn and Russell Hanscom had headed the event and were instrumental in traditionalizing the boardwalk baby pageant. Dutch and Doris Dahlhausen continued the custom for the next 31 years. Presently, Sue Canale is the director of the parade.

In addition to Bamberger, previous Grand Marshals of the parade have included Hall of Fame baseball player Joe DiMaggio who presided over the parade in 1985, and former Congressman and ambassador to Panama, William J. Hughes.

Former Ocean City Mayor Bud Knight will have the honor of being the Grand Marshal this year, and former Philadelphia Flyers player, Brian Propp, will be a special guest.

This year, the 98th Annual Baby Parade will take place on Thursday, Aug. 9, at 10:15 a.m. on the boardwalk from 6th to 12th streets.

The event is open to children from infancy to ten years of age. They will be competing in go-carts, strollers, coaches, kiddie cars, and express wagons. Walking is permitted, but not recommended, as the weather may be hot.

There will also be a fancy and comic division, one for small floats, and also a division for large commercial and non-commercial floats.

If you would like more information, please call the Music Pier Information Center at 609-525-9245, or City Hall Annex at 609-525-9300.

Be a part of an Ocean City tradition and come out and enjoy the 98th Annual Baby Parade.