St. Patrick's Day parade planned in Newton
NEWTON — The 12th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Newton will take place on Saturday, March 21.
Leading the parade will be Grand Marshals Dennis and Mary Harrington and their family and guests.
The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. from Spring Street near Stuart Street; proceeding up Spring Street then turning right onto Moran Street to Memory Park, where it will disband.
Spring Street will be closed at 11 a.m. from Union Place to Moran Street.
Parade units will stage starting at 9 a.m. in the lot located between the Moose Lodge and Camp Iliff on Spring Street. Fire Department and Ambulance Squad units are instructed to stage on Halstead Street near the middle school; but not on school property.
The parade will feature nearly 100 units, including: New Jersey state, county and local dignitaries, bands, floats, police, fire and other emergency response vehicles, military personnel and their vehicles, girl and boy scouts, local schools, antique vehicles, beauty queens, and Irish step dancers.
Based on turnout from the last two parades, about 900 participantws are estimated.
The award winning Lt. R.A. Madden VFW Post 10152 of Ogdensburg will be the parade Honor Guard. In the past, with good weather, several thousand spectators have gathered along Spring Street to watch the floats, bands, marching units, dance groups, animal organizations, novelty entities, and motorized units.
The children's favorites – Irish theme characters and animals, sweets and other free treats, will be featured in the parade.
Mark Hontz will again be the parade master of ceremonies. Hontz is a favorite of the spectators and parade participants alike. He warms up the crowd with his comedic wit, Celtic songs and self-accompaniment on his bagpipes; not to mention his commentary as the parade units pass by the reviewing stand on Spring Street.
For more information on the parade and attendant activities, please visit our website at: http://sussexcountynjirish.com/ or call Pat Fitzgibbons, chairman at (973) 827-6707.
Mass and traditional breakfast
On March 7, a Mass honoring St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church, located at 4-24 Beaver Run Road, Hardyston, The Mass will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Following the Mass at 10 a.m., there will be a traditional Irish breakfast at the Irish Cottage Inn, located at 602 Route 23, Franklin, New Jersey. The breakfast includes: bangers (Irish sausages), rashers (Irish bacon), eggs, potatoes, beans, black pudding, white pudding, tomato, and brown bread.
The cost will be $15 per person in advance, $20 at the door.