By: Najla Alexander
Hi RLS Metro Media friends and family, lately it has felt like springtime and that means it is just around the corner! So, you start to see people of all ages enjoying being in the sun while they can, which they took advantage of last weekend!
On Sunday, March 9th, hosted by the American Irish Association of Woodbridge, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning at the Woodbridge High School ending at the Woodbridge Town Hall on Main Street.
The sunny weather gave everyone a glimpse into what Spring will look like, with everybody from dogs to adults, decked out in green attire, celebrating Irish culture! There was this feeling in the air where you can feel the seasonal winter depression starting to melt away.
“The sun was on my face, and seeing so many out enjoying the weather while having fun made me feel all the worries were gone for a second,” a spectator explained.
Local businesses opening their doors and joining in the celebration was a sight to see, with people celebrating St. Patty’s Day as early as they could. Even, while you were waiting and enjoying the parade, there were pretzels, cotton candy, ice cream, and even character balloons for the kids for you to purchase.
As the unique and fun floats passed you, they tossed candy for kids. Seeing that takes me back to when I was a kid trying to scramble to get as much candy as I could, and remembered how sometimes I wasn't able to get candy. So, I took that chance to help a few kids, and seeing their faces light up was the best feeling ever, as they celebrated being Irish!
The crowd cheered in excitement for the whole parade, and made sure the Honorees saw them waving:
Ed McSherry- Grand Marshal
Sean Daly- Irish Man of the Year
Peggy Foley- Irish Woman of the Year
Alesandra McFadden- Miss American Irish
Kaitlin Driscoll- Lady-In-Waiting (not pictured)
“Hearing and seeing the drums and bagpipes just touches something in my soul. I don't know what it is but it’s my favorite part of parades!,” a spectator exclaimed.
With this year’s parade chair, Kevin McCreary, the parade was another success, with smiles that never left the crowd’s faces. From the fantastic performances of the Woodbridge HS band, the many bagpipes, and so many others, the overall feeling of excitement in the air had you buzzing for more. Seeing the communities' first responders, where Sparky the Fire Dog appeared, made the kids in the crowd go crazy.
It made me look forward to what the County of Middlesex will do next to engage with people of all ages!
According to officials, the American Irish Association of Woodbridge is a locally funded organization dedicated to honoring and celebrating American Irish Heritage. It meets every month at 95 Port Reading Avenue in Woodbridge, NJ. If you want to contribute or join them, contact them through Facebook at the American Irish Association of Woodbridge or write to them at P.O. Box 114, Iselin, NJ 08830.
Summer is fast approaching with Spring right around the corner and towns from Woodbridge to Rahway are showing exactly how they will spend these next few warm months. Until next time, RLS Metro Media friends and family!
