ROBBINSVILLE — The Robbinsville Irish Heritage Association is gearing up for the township’s third annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday, March 24.
An Irish flag is flying in front of the Robbinsville Township offices in celebration of Irish-American Heritage Month, and special green hair extensions also are available all during March from “Hair It Is” salon in Foxmoor to help celebrate.
On parade day, the celebration begins with Mass at St. Gregory the Great Church in Hamilton at 8:30 a.m., followed by the opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. at the Foxmoor Shopping Center at the corner of Route 33 and Washington Boulevard. The parade will begin at 1 p.m., work its way through the town center and end at the parking lot behind the businesses on routes 33 and 526.
This year, the association will honor Mike McGeough, president of the Dubh Linn Square Pub Group, as the grand marshal, and Cathy Zahn, a Robbinsville schoolteacher and genealogy expert as Irish Person of the Year.
The honorees also will be recognized at the Robbinsville Township Council meeting tonight (March 22).
The parade will feature several area bagpipe bands, Irish dancers and the Robbinsville High marching band along with marching groups from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and other local groups and musicians.
Following the parade, there will be a party on the grounds of Ernie’s Tavern on Main Street. Admission is free, and the event will feature entertainment, various food vendors and activities for the whole family. Local teenage volunteers from the TeenEDGE youth group will help with children’s activities.
Additional parking is available across the street from Ernie’s in the two banks’ parking lots. Police officers will be on hand to ensure pedestrians cross safely.
The Robbinsville Irish Heritage Association’s purpose is to foster an understanding and appreciation of Irish cultural values and heritage and to be the nexus for cultural events and activities in the township. The organization also promotes and brings together all good things about Ireland.
In addition, it supports and promotes local charitable activities within the local community, county and state and provides a yearly scholarship to Robbinsville High seniors.
For questions regarding the parade, including a map of the route, visit www.robbinsvilleirish.org or call 609-529-6611.

