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Sunny Skies And Irish Eyes Toast 23rd Annual St. Patty's Parade
By Jo Ann La Russo
 | | --Photo By Jo Ann La Russo Parade committee member Mary Kelly joins Toms River Mayor Paul Brush and over 30,000 spectators for the 23rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. |
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Sunny skies smiled on the 23rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration last week in Seaside Heights.
Women of Irish Heritage walked, Beachwood Dazzlers danced and the scores of parade goers at the event listened to the bagpipes of the Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band and the traditional Irish tunes of a plethora of community bands.
Beautiful weather welcomed the parade for the one day of the year when everybody is Irish and wearing a bit o' green, unofficially ushering in the spring tourist season in the resort town.
Parade Marshall John J. Sweeney marched with dignitaries, such as Seaside Heights Mayor Kenneth P. Hershey and Toms River Mayor Paul C. Brush.
"It is such an honor to march in another St. Patrick's Parade," said Brush, wearing an Irish knit green and white scarf. "It's a great day and a great tradition."
Scores of floats shimmied along the parade route on the boulevard that was marked along the entire distance with a green line down the center. More than 30,000 attended the spectacle which featured school bands from Toms River Regional schools and all surrounding areas, including The Crescent Shrine String Band, Ocean County String Band, the Patricia Murphy dancers and bagpipers.
Lori, of Beachwood waited to see the High School South's Marching Indian band with son, Matthew, and husband, Chip.
"My daughter is in the dance line," she said enthusiastically.
"The band is great," said son, Matthew, 19, who played drums with the Indians during his four years at the high school. "I don't miss high school, but I miss the band."
The family was heading to a nearby restaurant for a corned beef lunch following the parade, with Chip cautioning, "if we're lucky enough to get into a restaurant."
Bars and eateries along the boulevard overflowed with parade celebrants. Some found their way up onto the boardwalk trying to test their luck for a win at a game stand, while some were seen eating non- Irish foods like pizza and sausage sandwiches, and of course boardwalk bars were brimming with green beer.
"We are Irish today," said Buzz Slowinski with family members, Sean, John, Joe and wife Anne Marie, as well as family friend Tyler Jaskill of Brick who all sported green, the color of the day. Green sparkle derbies and outfits, green decorated family pets and even green makeup dominated the scene.
Wearing beer mug glasses and sporting green beards, John, Todd and Terry said they traveled all the way from East Greenville, Pennsylvania just for the parade.
"We wouldn't miss it," said the group. "It's a fun day. "
"Everybody is Irish today!" shouted the friends through their green tinted glasses.
The 63rd Army Band led this year's parade. The crowd, including the children, saluted and went wild when the army contingent passed.
"I like to see the troops," said Katie Coyne of Toms River, as she and boyfriend, David McKay, stopped for a hot chocolate break.
Seaside Heights residents, Sue Tracey Poane and her husband, Al, have attended every parade since its inception.
"I used to lead the parade every year," said Al, who was the traffic supervisor for the Seaside Park Police Department before his retirement. "Now we can watch and enjoy."
Shiela Solowynski of Beachwood waited to see the High School South Marching Indians. As the band's driver, Solowynski said the students were excited on the trip over the bridge into Seaside in anticipation of the big event.
"They were thrilled," she said. "Ron Smith, the band director, does a wonderful job with them. They are like family. They have spirit."
Twenty-two-month-old Eriana, slept soundly, cuddled in her stroller through the whole parade.
"She sleeps through all the parades," said her grandpa Mike, of Toms River, who attended the parade with Eriana's parents, Shana and Chris, of Highlands.
"Coming to this parade is a tradition," said friends Robyn Thompson and Pat Ramos of Barnegat. Both decked out in green and white hats and jewelry as they sought to meet up with their friends to enjoy the day.
"Green and white under sunny skies," said Thompson. "What could be better than that?"
Parade committee member, Mary Kelly, stood with Brush and Tommy King, drum major for Shannon and Thistle Pipe Band at the reviewing stand.
"The parade is a tradition," said King. "It is an honor to march. Everyone is enjoying the day."
"Hats off the parade committee," added Brush. "Today, everyone is Irish."
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