'HAPPY BABY DERBY' DELIVERS FOR SHOPRITE UNIT

MARYELLEN LO BOSCO

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Infants and toddlers up to two years old crawled, wobbled, bounced, hopped and dribbled down the aisles of ShopRite here, competing for prizes in the store's first annual "Happy Baby Derby."

According to E. Tracie Long, spokeswoman for the store, two races were held May 14, at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., for a total of four races: two for walkers and two for crawlers.

"It's a cute event for moms and kids," Long said. "It's a photo opportunity more than anything else. They put mats down the aisle of the grocery store, give them a yellow flag, and let them run loose."

The event was a joint effort between Huggies and ShopRite of Bethlehem.

Winners from each race received a free package of Huggies diapers.

Youngsters also got to visit with Scrunchy the Bear and parents were able to sign them up for the ShopRite Kids Club.