After two weeks of sub-freezing temperatures the snow and ice from Winter Storm Fern is finally melting and Gloucester City residents are getting ready for its biggest celebration of the year – the 11th annual St. Patrick’s Parade on Sunday, March 1, at 1 p.m.
Leading the parade that starts on Johnson Blvd. and goes down Monmouth Street to King Street will be this year’s Grand Marshals – Anne Barron and the Barron family and Maryann Saunders and the Saunders family.
They will receive their sashes during the 9:30 a.m. Irish Mass before the parade from Bishop Dennis Sullivan, which will be concelebrated by St. Mary’s Pastor Rev. George Seiter and the parade founder and former pastor, Msgr. William Hodge.
From humble beginnings in 2016, the St. Mary’s/Gloucester City parade has grown into the largest celebration of Ireland’s patron saint in South Jersey. When the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020, cancelling parades in many cities, organizers decided to reschedule it in September.
For 10 consecutive years thousands of people have lined the parade route and enjoyed performances by traditional Pipes & Drums bands, Irish dancers, the Mummers, local Irish-American bands and floats from community organizations such as the Gloucester City Irish Society (GCIS), the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.
Joining in the fun will be celebrity host Bob Kelly, the traffic anchor for Fox 29. “Get ready for his high-fives, photo ops, surprise dance breaks with the crowd and a Mummers strut or Irish jig popping up when you least expect it,” said Dan Spencer, who has helped organize the parade since its inception.
“Nobody works a crowd like Bob. He’s the ultimate parade hype man, and we’re thrilled to have him leading the way again,” Spencer said. “Also, we have our Main Man, radio personality from 93.3 WMMR Jacky Bam Bam, marching and entertaining the crowd. Come on out and get a picture or two with Mummers Hall of Famer and this year’s 2nd prize Fancy Division Handsome Costume winner.”
Providing the beat will be the many Pipes and Drums bands, including the GCIS band that is a crowd favorite made up of local musicians. Local bands like the Misty Dewers will be sure to play a few rebel songs, pumping up the parade goers who are hoping for a United Ireland in the next five years.
GCIS officers and the organizers thanked the Camden County Board of Commissioners “for being a dedicated presenting sponsor of the Gloucester City Annual St. Patrick’s Parade! From day one, they’ve helped make this celebration of Irish heritage, music, and community possible.
“Their continued support over the years has allowed us to bring together string bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, local organizations, and thousands of spectators for a day that truly brings Gloucester City to life.”
They also thanked NJ Assemblyman Bill Moen, who has been a supporter of the Gloucester City Irish Parade since the very beginning. “His dedication to our community and our traditions has always stood strong. We’re excited to share that Bill has been selected for Irish Echo’s 40 Under 40 Award, and he now has the chance to earn an additional honor: the People’s Choice Award.” This week the snow banks along Monmouth Street are starting to melt. In a few weeks Irish hearts will begin to melt upon hearing classics like “Danny Boy,” “Wearin of the Green,” and “I Wish I Was Back Home in Derry.” Everyone is welcome to enjoy the celebration
