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A new chapter was added to Asbury Park’s history books Sunday, March 9, as the Inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade made its way from Convention Hall through downtown Cookman Avenue.

About 3000 people showed up to watch the parade, the majority of which were concentrated along downtown Cookman Avenue.

“We really had no doubt in our minds that it would be a fun day and we would get a lot of support but I think we even were a little overwhelmed at how many people came out to watch the parade and to support the parade,” said Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce executive director Jackie Pappas. The chamber played a major role in organizing the event with the parade committee.

In typical St. Patrick’s Day parade fashion, fire companies, bagpipers, high school bands, Girl and Cub Scout troops were among the groups that marched the parade route.

But, in typical Asbury Park fashion, diversity played its part. The Jersey Shore Roller Girls skated down the route, a band of flamboyantly dressed mummers playing string instruments marched past smiling onlookers, and a group of zombies stopped to dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Parade judges and Grand Marshall Robert Kaeding of The Center in Asbury Park sat on a grandstand in Press Plaza and judged parade participants on creativity, crowd energy, and spirit of Asbury Park, Pappas said.

Coming in first place was the Asbury Audio/Stone Pony/Madison Marquette/Wonderbar float with pop cover band Ardvark Smile who provided live entertainment on an eighteen-wheeler truck. Second place went to the Woodland String Band’s band of mummers and third went to The New Jersey Zombie Walk for their “Thriller” dance.

Many people in the crowd agreed the parade exceeded their expectations for a first time effort.

“I thought it was a great first time parade,” said Lisa Kay, 47. “The live band on the float brought so much energy, it really symbolizes what Asbury Park is trying to be — positive and fun.”

“It was the perfect slice of Irish Americana,” said Jan Sparrow, co-owner of Asbury Park’s Words! bookstore. “I thought it was a really fun parade.”

“I love a parade,” said Patrick Johnston, Elberon. “You can act silly and wave and be happy — I think people were having a good time.”

“It was great, it gave you all the flair — the music, the marching bands and all the noise,” said Zulsiramar Huyke

“We live in Long Branch, the Belmar parade and the Seaside Parade are kind of out of the way for us, especially with kids and it’s not really centered on drinking. It was more of a family centered event,” said Jackie Williams, 31, Long Branch.

“Anytime Asbury Park Park gets together and people put their thinking caps on, things usually turn out great,” said Maureen Fry, 52, Ocean Grove.

The parade will be back next year on the second Sunday in March, according to Pappas, who said area towns were very supportive of Asbury Park’s parade effort.

“It’s the great kickoff for an amazing spring and summer season here in Asbury Park after a really long winter,” she said.

Next up for the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce is the Asbury Park Restaurant tour, which will be announced in the coming weeks, said Pappas.

Click here to see a Sun Facebook photo album of pictures from the event. 

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