Maybe you think St. Patrick’s Day already happened.
That would be understandable, given that St. Patrick’s Day parades in New Jersey have been underway for two weeks (yes, that really was “Frasier Crane,” aka actor Kelsey Grammer, leading the parade in Atlantic City last weekend).
But the big day honoring the primary patron saint of Ireland finally arrives Sunday. At least six parades are on the schedule this weekend — three on Saturday and another three on Sunday.
That’s in addition to the state’s oldest parade, the Newark St. Patrick’s Day celebration, happening Friday afternoon in New Jersey’s largest city.
The festivities will continue through next weekend, concluding with three parades on Saturday, March 23.
More than 30 parades, spread over four weekends in March, were on New Jersey’s packed parade schedule this year.
Here’s a list of New Jersey parades scheduled for this weekend and beyond:
Saturday, March 16
Newton
The Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 16, at 11 a.m. The parade route is along Spring Street.
North Wildwood
The North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 16, following a 12 p.m. ceremony at City Hall. The parade route begins at City Hall and heads north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde New Jersey Avenue.
Sea Isle City
The 32nd Sea Isle City St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 16, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 17
Bayonne
The Bayonne St. Patrick’s Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 1 p.m. The parade route begins at Broadway and Fifth Street, heads north to 39th Street and west to Avenue C before ending at the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg/Bayonne County Park. Sheila O’Boyle Hudacko, a longtime parade volunteer, is the grand marshal.
Freehold
The Freehold St. Patrick’s Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 12:30 p.m. The parade route runs down Main Street and ends at Freehold Elks Lodge 1454. This year’s grand marshal is Teri O’Connor, the administrator of Monmouth County.
South Amboy
The South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day parade is Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. South Amboy Council President Michael “Mickey” Gross is the grand marshal.
Saturday, March 23
Highlands
The 20th Highlands St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Tim Hill, who retired in 2016 as Highlands’ business administrator, is the grand marshal.
Keyport
The Keyport St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m.
Ringwood
The 33rd Ringwood St. Patrick’s Day parade is Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. The grand marshal is Jack Fehrenback, a 38-year Ringwood resident and longtime volunteer.
Are we missing any St. Patrick’s Day parades happening this weekend? Please let us know.
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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.
