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Sunday’s Fourth Annual Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, expected to draw over 10,000 to the city, will feature not only an array of floats and participants but comes with city wide events in support of the day of Irish pride.

The staging area is set for Seventh and Ocean avenues. Grand Marshal Caroline O’Toole [at right] of the Stone Pony  will lead the parade on horseback east along Ocean Avenue to Asbury Avenue, through the downtown by way of Cookman Avenue, and finishing in the Municipal Parking Lot on Main Street.

The parade reviewing stand is located at Press Plaza, off of Cookman Avenue.  

The annual parade has grown in size and entertainment, and this year boasts along with all the traditional elements: Pipe and Drum bands from across the state, international award winning mummer and string bands, local police and fire companies, marching bands, jugglers, members of the VFW and local Boy and Girl scout troops.

Spotlights unique to Asbury Park include:  Zombies, live music floats, skateboarders and cyclists and brass bands. New participants include the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Habcore, and Holiday Express.

While the parade sets off at 1 p.m. from Fifth and Ocean avenues, Big Joe Henry of Jersey 101.5 will be broadcasting live starting at 9 a.m. from The Stone Pony, located at 913 Ocean Avenue.

At 10 a.m. Kim Marie’s, located at 1411 Kingsley Street will serve a traditional Irish breakfast, comprised of eggs, potatoes, beans, black and white pudding, Irish bacon and bangers, in addition to its regular menu.

Also at 10 a.m. Johnny Mac’s, at 208 Main St, opens with free omelet and pizza stations, face painting, and a food truck offering corned beef sandwiches. After the parade, Jimmy Byrne’s band will be performing inside and Big Bang Baby outside. DJ Rob Busch and bagpipers will also be there.

Cross & Orange, at 508 Cookman Ave, hosts its Second Annual St. Patrick’s Parade Day in Park event, featuring music by The Steve Reilly Band, an Irish Specialty Food Tent, and Guinness and Whiskey Tent in the neighboring Kennedy Park.

At 11 a.m. Langosta Lounge, at 1000 Ocean Ave, fundraising brunch in support of the parade features music from Billy Hector and the Queen.

Also at 11 a.m., Anita Buffem’s Haus of Mimosa Brunch Spectacular returns to The Asbury, 210 Fifth Ave, to benefit Ocean Grove fire victims. Featuring a full brunch buffet, the interactive drag show has garnered accolades from CBS NY, TIME OUT NY, and The NY Daily News, to name a few. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.showclix.com/event/Mimosabrunch.

The Asbury Park Police Department parking and road closures include: 

At 10:30 a.m. Ocean Avenue from Seventh to Fifth avenues will be closed.

At noon Lake Avenue from Main Street east to Wesley Lake Drive will be closed to accommodate emergency vehicles route. Local traffic will be allowed to enter and exit Lake Avenue at Main Street.

Bangs Avenue from Memorial Drive to Main Street will be closed to all traffic.

Once the parade steps off at 1:00 p.m., no vehicular traffic will be allowed along the parade route.

At 1:15 p.m. Main Street will be closed between Lake and Summerfield avenues.

Parking will not be permitted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Press Plaza, along Cookman Avenue from Main Street to Grand Avenue, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Ocean Avenue from Seventh to Asbury avenues.

Each year the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade gives back by donating to community organizations like The Center on Main, the Asbury park Historical Society, Asbury Park Little League, and area fire departments.

Parade fundraising occurs throughout the year, with donations accepted via GoFundMe or payable by checks mailed to: The Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, P.O. Box 694, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.

For more info, email asburystpatsparade@gmail.com, visit  www.asburyparkstpatricksparade.com or on Facebook.

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The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.

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