FREEHOLD – The Freehold Borough Arts Council is planning its fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 13. Participants will start marching at noon. In continuation of tradition, this will be a short parade to be followed by activities immediately afterward. All events are a family friendly way to celebrate Irish cultural arts, according to a press release.
The parade will begin at Borough Hall and proceed to the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, where there will be Irish dance and musical performances. The featured performance will be students from the Rosemary Warnock-Seery School of Irish Dance.
This year’s honorary grand marshals are Dr. and Mrs. Nahum and family. The community grand marshal is Rosemary Warnock-Seery.
Parade participants will include a Marine Corps League color guard, the Rosemary Warnock-Seery School of Irish dance, the Monmouth County Fire and Police Pipe and Drum Band, the Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Elks No. 1454, the Freehold Kruisers, Raising Hope for Others, Stone Blue Band and more, according to the press release.
There will be contests during the parade. Awards will be given to the best dressed baby up to age 3, best dressed dog and best decorated bicycle,
After the parade and stage entertainment, there will be a dinner and dance party at Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454. The Elks will be serving corned beef sandwiches for $8 and corned beef dinners for $10. Back by popular demand will be the Pat Roddy Band. Admission is free and all are invited to attend. The Elks Lodge is at 73 E. Main St., according to the press release.
While at the Elks Lodge, the FBAC is sponsoring an Irish Soda Bread Contest. There is a $5 entry fee (check made payable to FBAC and mail to FBAC, 1 Broad St. Freehold, NJ 07728. All entries must summit two Irish Soda Breads with recipes on the day of contest. Entries must be brought to the Freehold Elks.
Groups interested in marching in the parade, or people who wish to register for the Irish Soda Bread contest should email the FBAC at [email protected]