Little Stars Shine Bright: Ocean City Crowns Winners of Its 115th Baby Parade

The Ocean City boardwalk was once again a stage for pure joy and creativity as the 115th annual Baby Parade delighted crowds with its colorful procession of tiny tots and imaginative floats. A beloved tradition that has been a cornerstone of “America’s Greatest Family Resort” for over a century, the parade showcased a new generation of participants, all vying for top honors in a variety of categories.

The event is a heartwarming display of family effort. Participants roll down the boardwalk in elaborately decorated strollers, wagons, and custom-built floats. From whimsical themes to pop culture references, the creativity on display was a testament to the enduring appeal of this unique Ocean City tradition.

The Ocean City Baby Parade is more than just a parade; it’s a living piece of local history. It’s the longest continuously held baby parade in the nation. Its origins trace back to August 10, 1901. What began as a small “baby show” with 46 babies competing for titles like “prettiest, cutest, and fattest baby” has blossomed into a full-scale extravaganza. Over the decades, it has grown to include hundreds of entrants, marching bands, and professionally decorated floats, drawing thousands of spectators to the boardwalk each year.

For many families, participating in the parade is a multi-generational tradition. Parents and grandparents who once rode in the parade now pushing their own children along the same route. The tradition is so strong that some families plan their summer vacations around the parade date, which is typically held on the second Thursday in August.

The parade’s enduring legacy is also honored through its special awards, many of which are named after key figures in the event’s history, such as the Bamberger Award, named for one of the parade’s founders, and the Dahlhausen Award, in memory of a long-time director.

This year’s parade continued to uphold its grand tradition of celebrating the creativity and charm of its youngest participants. Here are the results for the 115th annual Ocean City Baby Parade:

Special Awards:

• Bamberger Award: Madelyn & Vivianna Reed, with the theme “The Butterfly Sisters” (Number: 719)
• Hanscom Award: Agnes Aurene Edivan, with the theme “The Cutest Pooh Bear You’ve Ever Seen!” (Number: 712)
• Dahlhausen Award: Reeve Daley, with the theme “The Reigning US Open Champ!” (Number: 714)
• Canale Award: Lily & Logan Boyce, Cordelia Swisher and Colin Machado, with the theme “Baby Explorers” (Number: 421)
• Soifer Award: Grace and Jack Labriola, with the theme “All Roads Lead to Ocean City!” (Number: 715)
• Greatest Distance Traveled: Margaret Rose Tirello, with the theme “The Hoagie Queen” (from Jacksonville, FL) (Number: 423)
• Outstanding Twins or Triplets: Liam and Christian Kelly, with the theme “Beach Debut!” (Number: 419)

Division Winners and Runners-Up:

• Division A Section 100 Winner: Ryder Smith, “2025 Ryder Golf Cup” (Number: 107)
• Division A Section 100 Runner-Up: Ashley Vitullo, “Baby Bumblebee” (Number: 105)
• Division A Section 200 Winner: Marietta Willis, “Sunset Beach” (Number: 201)
• Division A Section 300 Winner: Cece, Annie, Ryan and Sylvia Duncan, “Ocean City Sweethearts” (Number: 302)
• Division A Section 300 Runner-Up: Annamae Eellis, “Waves Crashing” (Number: 303)
• Division B Section 400 Winner: Brinley Sage, “The Cutie Claw Machine” (Number: 425)
• Division B Section 400 Runner-Up: Alexander Ciancia Leyden, “Stuffed Animal Claw Machine” (Number: 416)
• Division B Section 500 Winner: Audrey and Nora Libener, “Boardwalk Bites and Seagull Delights” (Number: 511)
• Division B Section 500 Runner-Up: Mahalina Cantona, “Bubble Bath” (Number: 507)
• Division B Section 600 Winner: Everett, Harrison, Ava, Sofia, Camden and Joseph, “Costal Kahuna Cousins” (Number: 606)
• Division B Section 600 Runner-Up: Kathleena and Devin Mahoney, “JAWS” (Number: 608)