St. Patrick's Day in New Jersey
NJ Parades Honor Patron Saint of Ireland and Irish Immigrants
St. Pat's Parades pay homage to Saint Patrick and Irish ancestors, the immigrants who helped to build the United States of America.
New Jersey became the new home to many immigrants from Ireland who crossed the Atlantic Ocean to settle in America. Cities throughout the state of New Jersey pay homage to their Irish ancestors with St. Patrick's Day parades, Celtic music, Irish dancing, shamrocks and emerald green beer. St. Patrick is a Irish saint who lived over 1600 years ago. The Irish immigrants in America starting marching in parades as a show of political power, the voting bloc called "The Green Machine."
The holiday has evolved into an observance filled with merriment. Catholic Mass is said preceding many of the parades. People of all races, nationalities and religious beliefs attend the parades.
Gatherings of people across the land enjoy cameraderie. After the parades, people often gather at the nearest pub or tavern to drink green beer, or Irish Whiskey and to eat hearty corned beer and cabbage and Irish stew.
There are at least 23 St. Pat's parades in the State of New Jersey. Following are ten of the New Jersey St. Paddy's Day Parades this year.
- Hoboken, NJ, Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 1, pm
- Trenton,NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 8. 1 pm: Opening ceremonies on the steps of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church on Olden Avenue. Trenton's St. Pat's Parade features more than 120 marching units and floats and attracts over 60,000 spectators.
- Jersey City, NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 9, 12:30 pm: Mass is held before the parade, at Saint Aedan's at 10 am. The Friendly Sons of Saint. Patrick.
- West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 9, Noon: The parade steps off at 66 Main Street and marches to Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
- Woodbridge, NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 9, 1:30 pm: The 35th St. Patrick's Day parade is sponsored by the American Irish Association. The St. Pat's parade features more than 80 marching units, traditional Irish Pipe Bands and floats.
- Atlantic City, NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15,1 pm: The 22nd annual parade features marching bands, pipe bands, string bands and floats. The parade will start at New Jersey Avenue and the Boardwalk that will travel south to Albany Avenue and the Boardwalk.
- Morristown, NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15, Noon: About 50,000 people attend this event with about 20 bands. This is a facility oriented event.
- Newark, NJ, St. Patrick's Day Parade, Friday, March 14, 2 pm: Newark's parade honors the 50th Anniversary Essex County Emerald Society Police and Firefighter Pipe and Drum Corp. the 73rd Annual Parade marches from Saint Patrick's Pro-Cathedral along Mulberry Street to the New Devils Arena.
- Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 15, 1 pm: Last year's parade drew 40,000 on-lookers.
- Somerville St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 16, 1:30 pm: The pre-parade show of Irish Dancing exhibitions will be held at 1 pm,, in front of the Review Stand at Main and Doughty. The parade features over 75 marching units and expects over 15,000 spectators.
- Highlands Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Saturday, March 29, 2 pm: The Borough become "Glocca Morra on the Bay," with more that 100 marching units, which include marching bands, bagpipers and floats.
Information is subject to change. It is always a good idea to verify dates and times. Please do not drink and drive. If you plan to visit the pubs, please agree on a designated driver in advance.
Read about St. Patrick's Parades in: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota. New York.
