OCEAN COUNTY – Despite the gray sky and a slight chill in the air the Seaside Heights Boulevard turned green at this year’s Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
For two years in a row the parade had been postponed until April due to inclement weather. This year’s event was rain or shine and stepped off the traditional green lined road as planned.
You can’t have a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade without bagpipers and the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade had plenty this year. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The parade featured various Irish-American clubs, drum and pipe bands, high school bands, floats and civic organizations. Many came out early to secure a parking spot and to find seating along the Boulevard.
The Point Pleasant based Devrin Academy Dancers arrived early and were trying to keep warm before they made it to their parade spot. They danced in the parade. Their leaders Devon Warren and Erin Markowski were just as excited.
Former Toms River Councilman Kevin Geoghegan (center with sash) served as parade marshal this year and is seen here with Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson and members of the Seaside Park Council. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“We’ve been around for 12 years. We have about 15 or so here today but at the school we have about 40 kids. We are a competitive school. Our girls go all over the country to compete for regionals, nationals and local competitions. Now we’re in Saint Patrick’s Day season so this is our March madness,” Warren said.
Spectators Liz and Jack Kelly secured their spot in front of the borough’s 7-Eleven that happened to be right across from the stage where performers sang before the parade. “Every year we come and usually we are in the same spot,” Liz Kelly said.
Members of the Devrin Dance Academy of Point Pleasant pose for a photo before their appearance in this year’s Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
She added, “we are from Winfield but we have a place in Forked River. We usually come down on Friday and then go back to Winfield on Tuesday. It is nice though. We love Seaside and I’ve been coming here since I was 10 years old and we still come to all of the events. We look forward to the Columbus Day Parade in the fall.”
Further up the street walking by Ryan’s Deli was Lisa Franciosi and her dog Bromley. “We have a house in Seaside so we are around a lot. He’s a Bernese mountain dog. They are kind of relatives of Saint Bernards. They come from the same area of Switzerland, the Bern region. He will turn four this month and he loves to be at these parades.”
Bromley, a Bernese Mountain dog made a lot of friends before, during and after the annual Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. His owner decked out in green with shamrocks Lisa Franciosi, introduced him to two young parade spectators outside of Ryan’s Deli on the Boulevard. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Bromley wasn’t the only dog along the parade route. Many were wearing hats, shirts or green collars for the occasion.
Inside Ryan’s Deli, owner Jimmy Smith said that despite the weather he expected his place to keep busy. “We’ll be selling a couple thousand (corned beef) sandwiches today.”
Former Toms River Councilman Kevin Geoghegan served as parade marshal this year and joined Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson and members of the Seaside Park Council for the parade. Longtime Councilwoman Anita Zalom drove a car in the parade this year as a fellow official manipulated a leprechaun hand puppet outside the passenger side window.
Members of the Seaside Heights Education Association and students of the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School enjoy a ride on a float during this year’s Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Honored on the Ryan Funeral Home float was Irish Woman of the year Erin Ryan who was awarded posthumously. She was the daughter of the late Timothy Ryan who owned the well-known funeral home. She died last year.
The Women of Irish Heritage had their own float. Their group of emerald clad women featured Ferlie Almonte, Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2023 of Leisure Village West, Manchester Township. The Crabs Claw Inn of Lavallette also had a float which this year honored Gold Star families.
This rather large inflated leprechaun was spotted on a side road in Seaside Heights during the annual Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws mascot Buster sported a kilt for the event. The Toms River High School South Marching Indians and the Toms River High School North Mariners performed during the parade.
Also present were members of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocean County Vocational School Academy of Law and Public Safety.
Liz and Jack Kelly of Lacey are regulars when it comes to the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
One group that weathered the chilly wind perhaps better than others were the members of the 4th New Jersey Infantry – a group of Civil War reenactors whose uniforms and attire were made up of mostly wool material.
Members of the 4th New Jersey Infantry, a group of Civil War reenactors prepare to enter the parade line. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The Seaside Heights Education Association’s float featured a rainbow and included students of the Hugh J. Boyd Elementary School.
The fun didn’t end after the parade concluded. Many parade participants and spectators headed over to the Hershey Motel in the borough. The motel featured a 40-foot American Flag while pipe bands joined together for Amazing Grace. The post parade party featured the music of the Drunkin’ Clams.
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