SEASIDE HEIGHTS – An April Fool’s Day Saint Patrick’s Day Parade? Would that mean an event chock full of shenanigans?
For the second year in a row, the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was postponed until April. This year, it took place on April 1. It was a rain or shine event and unfortunately, it rained.
The postponement didn’t stop people like Debbie Burghart-Platt and members of her family from celebrating on the weekend of the original date – March 11. They had already booked a hotel room in Seaside Heights and had made plans.
“We celebrated my big sister’s birthday but although the parade was canceled, the boardwalk was packed with revelers, even in the nasty rain,” she said.
“Some of the bars still put their green beer out and I guess they will do it all over again on April 1 when the parade happens,” Platt added.
Representatives of Seaside Park were present at the postponed Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day parade letting everyone know that it is the borough’s 125th anniversary this year. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Traditionally, the borough-based parade is held on the second Saturday of March. The Belmar Saint Patrick’s Day Parade – which began before Ocean County’s parade – kicks off the Irish heritage season at the Jersey Shore. The Asbury Park Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is held later in the month, sometimes on Saint Patrick’s Day itself. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the parade from taking place in 2021and despite its postponement, it garnered a decent sized crowd last year as well as this year.
The Ocean County parade once again kicked off around noon, between I and J streets in Seaside Park and moving toward Heiring Avenue.
For the Robbins family of Manchester, the parade is a tradition so Tim Robbins joined his son Trevor, 8, and his mother Donna Robbins for the event with chairs positioned in front of the Snooki Shop.
Donna Robbins said “I’m a third Irish. This is pretty much a tradition.”
“She’s one of the original teachers of the Manchester Middle School. She was hired even before it was built,” her son said.
As for the rain, “mother nature does what she does. We were definitely going to come no matter what. It is a tradition,” he added. He and his son were in green wearing shamrocks that lit up.
Another visitor from Manchester, Vince Robinson, said, “we’ve been coming for years and we enjoy the parade. It was a smaller crowd this year but that’s okay.”
“Seaside Heights Mayor Tony Vaz was my teacher. I was his star pupil so he knows me,” Robinson said. The mayor and members of the Borough Council strolled down the parade route a bit later dressed in green suit jackets.
Members of the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums were among the performers who made it out to the parade. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
“We enjoy coming out and seeing the people. This year we didn’t have to worry about anyone standing in front of you,” his cousin Rich Robinson of Lakewood remarked. He noted his cousin’s emerald attire that included his footwear and said “he looks like he’s impersonating a lima bean.”
They joined two other friends who were sitting in front of the Montes Café which serves up Mexican food.
The parade featured plenty of pipe and drum bands and bagpipers and representatives of Seaside Park were there to remind people that the borough is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
Charlie Frazier served as this year’s Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal. He is pictured on this float with members of his family. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Popular celebration points such as Klee’s Irish Pub were keeping busy. Klee’s is also a parade sponsor. Ryan’s Deli and Grill staff were once again busy dishing out corned beef sandwiches to parade watchers who wanted a spot of lunch before and during the parade.
For the second year in a row the band The Drunken Clams rocked the post parade party held at the Hershey Motel on the Boulevard.
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