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The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraising season kicks off this month with a beach barbecue at Anchor’s Bend, 1300 Ocean Avenue.

Proceeds from the 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, BBQ with an Irish twist, will go toward the St. Patrick’s Day Fund, Committee President and parade founder Garrett Giberson said.

“People don’t realize the cost and expenses associated with putting on a parade,” Giberson said. “We pay city services, for the entertainment and acts in the parade, and there are advertising and administrative costs.”

Giberson said parade costs can run well over $30,000.

This year, will mark the Fourth Annual event, to be held on March 12.

Since its 2011 inception parade attendance and participant figures have increased each year, Giberson said. In 2015 the parade attendance more than double from the previous year to an estimated 8,000 attendees.

An eight member committee and a host of volunteers work throughout the year to bring the event into fruition, Giberson said.

Proceed from the parade are donated throughout to year to local organizations like the Asbury Park Little League, The Center on Main, and the Asbury Park High School Marching Band. This year Giberson made a donation to Garden State Equality’s [at right] fundraising drive for the Orlando Mass Shooting victims and their families.

“We will donate to additional charities this year,” he said. “We do try to keep the donations as close to home as possible.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraising barbecue cost is $10 per person. For more information, visit asburyparkstpatricksparade.com.

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