Philadelphia TV personality marshals OC parade

Carol Erickson, popular CBS Philadelphia television personality, has been named grand marshal of Ocean City’s 100th Baby Parade, Aug. 13 starting 10:15 a.m. on the Ocean City Boardwalk from 6th to 12th sts.
Erickson will lead a parade that features over 300 participants and an array of bands, floats, and special contingents.
“We are proud to have Carol Erickson as our grand marshal because in her quiet and unassuming way she has become more than a popular celebrity, she has become a great person,” said Sue Canale, parade director. “Her kindness and concern epitomize what this family resort is all about.”
Erickson has been nominated for numerous Emmy Awards for weather anchoring, writing and spot news reporting. In 2004 she won an Emmy for “Carol’s Story,” her courageous reports on her personal battle with breast cancer.
As a survivor, Erickson also volunteers her time locally to support and promote the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure of Cancer held on Mother’s Day in Philadelphia.
Ocean City’s Baby Parade was founded in 1901 and featured 46 babies in the prettiest, cutest and fattest categories.
There were several interruptions during the two World Wars and an infantile Paralysis epidemic. The Parade has been held every year since World War II. Ocean City is the only community in the country to hold 100 baby parades.
In addition to Baby Parade contestants, former participants in Ocean City Baby Parades will also march in the event and past baby parade queens and princesses will be featured on floats.
Area groups and service clubs will be represented including the Ocean City Exchange Club, Shore Memorial Hospital, the Ocean City Community Assn., the Colony Club and a contingent of basset hounds from the Doo Dah Parade.
Bands and musical groups scheduled include the Interboro High School Marching Band, Oakrest High School Marching Band, Ferko String Band, Clevemore Fancy Brigade, Crescent Temple String Band, Pitman Hobo Band, Atlantic City Bagpipers, Ed Coles Entertainers, Fred Hall Dixieland Band, Elvis Performer, Ted Prior and the World’s Only Wind Chimes Band of Ocean City.