Smilestones
The top three finishers in the annual Sea Isle City Diaper Derby are (from left): Evelyn Goldschmidt, of Telford, Pa., and Sea Isle, first place; Kiya Denham, of Ocean View, second place; and June Richardson, of Lancaster, Pa., third place. The event was part of the Sara the Turtle Festival on June 24.
OH, BABY! DIAPER DERBY HIGHLIGHTS FESTIVAL
The Diaper Derby baby crawling contest was a highlight of Sea Isle City’s annual Sara the Turtle Festival on June 24. The competition begins with non-walking babies gathered in the center of a colorful parachute on the lawn at Excursion Park. The babies are then coaxed into their parents’ arms on the outside edge of the parachute, and whoever gets there the fastest is the champion.
There were six contestants in this year’s race. The winner was Evelyn Goldschmidt, of Telford, Pa., and Sea Isle City. Kiya Denham, of Ocean View, took second, and June Richardson, of Lancaster, Pa., finished third.
The Sara the Turtle Festival featured a hands-on wildlife display by The Wetlands Institute, and the Marine Mammal Standing Center, Sea Isle City’s Environmental Commission, the Beachcomber Guides, Turtlesinger, and Sea Isle Terrapin Rescue also were on hand.
The Diaper Derby added to the fun and educational family offerings like the environmental exhibits, as well as face painting and a bounce house. Says Trish Jackson, who has been organizing the Sara the Turtle Festival for 16 years: “The Derby may not sound exciting, but it really is, and it’s fun to watch the parents coax their babies across the finish line.”
SKIMMER FEST
The 2024 Skimmer Antique Auto Show on June 16, a highlight of the Skimmer Festival Weekend, featured 105 classic vehicles, ranging from hot rods and muscle cars to vintage sedans and pickup trucks. The Best in Show award went to this 1946 Chevy pickup (above left) that has running boards, a vented windshield, and whitewall tires, proudly displayed by owner Gary Porter, of Ambler, Pa. The Mayor's Choice award was won by John and Bernice Quinn, of Vineland. Their 1950 Ford Country Squire "Woodie" station wagon is trimmed with two-tone wood panels and whitewall tires. Posing with the winners are Mayor Leonard Desiderio and Antique Auto Show host Jim Ambro.