FREEHOLD – Downtown Freehold’s Irish Week festivities will begin with a parade held in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
The parade is hosted by the Freehold Borough Arts Council and will take place on March 11 at 1 p.m. on Main Street in Freehold Borough. Supporters are the Downtown Freehold business association, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 16 and the Freehold Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 1454.
“On March 11, everyone will be treated to our Freehold Regional high school bands, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 16 bagpipers, the Fitzgerald School of Irish step dancers, antique cars and firetrucks, as well as many community organizations,” said parade organizer Jeffrey Friedman, executive director of Downtown Freehold and president of the Freehold Borough Arts Council.
“Contests for the best dressed child under 3 years old, the best decorated bicycle, and best dressed dog and adult will be judged and trophies awarded at the post-parade ceremonies on the lawn of the Elks lodge,” Friedman said.
Dru-Anne Palaima, Downtown Freehold’s director of marketing and events, said the parade’s community grand marshals will be Carol Stillwell and Mary Ann Larkin, and the honorary grand marshals will be Ron and Maria Importico.
“Carol Stillwell and Mary Ann Larkin, as well as Ron and Maria Importico, have supported many charitable organizations which have improved the lives of western Monmouth County residents and we are proud to honor them,” Palaima said.
The parade will conclude at the Elks lodge, 73 E. Main St., where the Joe Barracato Band will perform at 2 p.m. Corned beef and cabbage specials will be served and there will be a 50/50 raffle drawing and an Irish soda bread contest, according to event organizers.
The 2018 parade will be the Freehold Borough Arts Council’s seventh edition. Event organizers have said that with the support of organizations from surrounding areas, they intend to make the parade the largest in western Monmouth County.
“We are very pleased to join the arts council and the other organizations to assist in making the Freehold Irish parade one that everyone will be proud of and look forward to every year,” said Chris Dowd, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Any individual who wishes to participate in the parade or become a sponsor may contact Downtown Freehold at [email protected]
Irish Week will continue with the Flavor of Freehold, which gives participants a chance to tour the downtown district’s restaurants, bars and shops, and to try samples. The event will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. March 13-14. Tickets are $10 per person.
The Pub Crawl will conclude Irish Week from 8-10 p.m. March 15. Featured in the Pub Crawl will be the American Hotel, Federici’s, the Court Jester and the Metropolitan Café. Participants may taste beer or scotch at each location. Tickets are $20 for the beer crawl and $40 for the scotch crawl.
Tickets may be purchased online at downtownfreehold.com/shop/