Babies took the field at Cleveland’s historic League Park on September 19 as Rx Kids brought its signature Baby Parade tradition to Ohio for the first time.
The baseball-themed celebration marked the recent launch of Rx Kids in three Cleveland ZIP codes (44103, 44110, and 44114) and brought together families, community organizations, and supporters to celebrate Cleveland’s youngest residents.
Rather than simply marching down a street, the Cleveland parade took a lap around the ballpark’s base paths, giving babies, parents and community members a chance to take part in a little baseball history of their own. The morning also featured a wiffle ball game, Rx Kids baseball hats, food, children’s activities, and other family-friendly entertainment.
More than two dozen Cleveland organizations that support babies and families participated in a vendor fair, connecting families with local resources and services.
The event was the latest chapter in a tradition that Rx Kids has revived from more than a century ago. During the 1918 “Children’s Year,” communities across the country held baby parades as joyful public celebrations of children and reminders of the importance of protecting infant and child health. One of the campaign’s mottos was, “The health of the child is the power of the nation.”
Rx Kids has adopted the baby parade to celebrate children and families while highlighting the importance of supporting families during pregnancy and a baby’s first year.
“Baby parades are joyful because babies give us so much to celebrate,” said Dr. Mona Hanna, Director of Rx Kids and Associate Dean of Public Health at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. “There is something deeply hopeful about gathering as a community to celebrate our moms, our babies, and our families. More than a century ago, Americans understood that caring for children was part of building a strong nation. We believe that loving your country means loving and investing in our children, and there are few better ways to show that than by celebrating babies together.”
Cleveland hosted its first Baby Parade on September 19.
The Cleveland parade also marked a major milestone for Rx Kids, which launched in Michigan in January 2024 and is now expanding beyond the state for the first time. In Cleveland, eligible families receive $1,500 during pregnancy followed by $500 per month for the baby’s first six months.
First Year Cleveland is serving as the local Community Champion for Rx Kids, leading community outreach, family engagement and collaboration with health care providers, local government and community organizations.
“Seeing so many Cleveland organizations, families, and community partners come together to celebrate our babies was incredibly special,” said Angela Newman-White, Executive Director of First Year Cleveland. “We are grateful to every organization and individual who helped make this day possible and who continues to show up for Cleveland families. This is exactly the kind of community spirit we want to build around our moms and babies, and we look forward to making the Cleveland Baby Parade a tradition for years to come.”
The League Park setting added another layer of history to an event built around celebrating the future. Families gathered on the same grounds where generations of Cleveland baseball fans once watched the city’s teams — and iconic names like Babe Ruth — play, this time turning the field’s attention toward a new generation.
For Rx Kids, that combination of history, community and celebration is central to what the baby parade represents: a public reminder that children and families are not only worth supporting, but worth celebrating.
“We want every baby to know, from the very beginning, that they are welcomed, valued and loved by their community,” said Hanna. “That is what these parades are about. Bringing that spirit to Cleveland for the first time is so special, and we hope this is just the beginning of a long tradition here.”
