SOUTH AMBOY – Thousands of people dressed in green lined the streets of South Amboy to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day during the city’s annual parade.
Parade participants began lining up on South Pine Avenue around noon on March 18. The parade began at 2 p.m., traveling from the intersection of South Pine and Portia Street, turning right onto Bordentown Avenue, left onto S. Stevens Street, right onto Main Street and right onto Broadway where the parade ended at a viewing stage at the South Amboy Train Station.
“You could feel the excitement from all the participants as they were practicing while they waited,” parade announcer Barry Rosengarten said.
Almost 90 organizations and special guests participated in the parade, including the American Legion Color Guard, Grand Marshal Brian Kelly, Deputy Grand Marshal George Fuller, Honorary Grand Marshal Dennis Doll, local pipes and drum bands, high school marching bands from across New Jersey, fire departments, Congressman Frank Pallone and Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios.
The parade had representatives from South Amboy, Metuchen, Woodbridge, Carteret, Sayreville, Perth Amboy, South River, Cliffwood, Old Bridge and Rutherford.
“I would personally like to thank the South Amboy Police Department, the City of South Amboy and Public Works Department, Middlesex County and the Office of Emergency Management for all their help and support leading up to the parade and on Parade day,” parade committee vice Chair Cathy Schwartz said. “I would also like to thank the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for their passion and hard work in the planning phase over the past year, organizing fundraisers and planning festivities over the weekend and parade day. I would also like to thank the Ancient Order of Hibernians for their support, including events we have held at their hall.”
“The parade was great,” parade committee Chairman Mickey Gross said. “Congratulations to all of the members of the parade committee for their hard work and for making our city proud. We can’t wait for next year’s parade.”
The parade committee announced they are already starting to plan for next year. Registration will be available at www.southamboyparade.com/ on Oct. 1. All participants must register online to march.
Contact Peter Elacqua at [email protected].