County plans annual St. Patrick's Day parade

FRANKLIN — The Sussex County St. Patrick's Day committee has named former Franklin Mayor Paul Crowley as the grand marshal of the 14th annual parade.
“I want to thank the Parade Committee for bestowing this honor upon me,” Crowley said. “St. Patrick’s Day is the biggest day of the year for those of Irish descent around the world and I can’t wait to do my part to make the Sussex County Parade extra special this year.”
The 14th Annual Grand Marshal’s Luncheon honoring Crowley will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19, from 2-5 p.m. at the Irish Cottage Inn located at 602 Route 23 North, Franklin, New Jersey. The grand event includes entertainment, recognition of our grand marshal and lots of great craic; including a Tricky Tray and a 50/50 raffle. The traditional presentation of the grand marshal’s sash will follow. It has become a practice that the grand marshal designates a charity to receive the net proceeds of the St. Patrick’s Day charitable events. Accordingly, Crowley chose Early Intervention Program in memory of his Grandson, Eoghan Demsak as the 2017 beneficiary.
Make reservations — $60 per person — at least a month in advance as seating is limited.
A Mass honoring St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, will be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church located at 4-24 Beaver Run Road, Hamburg, at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4.
Following Mass, there will be a Traditional Irish Breakfast at the Irish Cottage Inn, located at 602 Route 23, Franklin. A Traditional Irish Breakfast includes: bangers (Irish sausages), rashers (Irish bacon), eggs, potatoes, beans, black pudding, white pudding, tomato, and brown bread. Approximate starting time 10 a.m..
Reservations will cost $15 and it is suggested for two weeks in advance.
The 14th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Newton will take place on Saturday, March 18. Leading the Parade will be Grand Marshal, Paul Crowley and his family and guests.
The Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. from Spring Street near Stuart Street; proceeding up Spring Street then turning right onto Moran Street to Memory Park where it will disband. Spring Street will be closed at 10 a.m. from Union Place to Moran Street. Parade units will stage starting at 9 a.m. in the lot located adjacent to Camp Iliff and the former site of the old Moose Lodge on Spring Street. Fire Department and Ambulance Squad units are instructed to stage on Halsted Street near the middle school; but not on school property.
The parade will feature nearly 100 units, including: Past Grand Marshals, New Jersey State, County and Local Dignitaries, bands, floats, police, fire and other emergency response vehicles, military personnel and their vehicles, pipe and drum bands, girl and boy scouts, local schools, antique vehicles, county and local pageant winners including the Queens of the Fair, and Irish step dancers. Based on the 2016 turnout, we estimate about 500 Parade participants.
In the past, several thousand spectators have gathered along Spring Street to watch the floats, bands, marching units, dance groups, animal organizations, novelty entities, and motorized units.
The children's favorites — Irish theme characters and animals, free treats, will be components of the Parade. Please be alert that children do not dash out into Parade traffic.
Mark Hontz will again be the Parade M.C. Mark is a favorite of the spectators and Parade participants alike.
For more information on the Parade and attendant activities, call Dennis Harrington, Chairman at (973) 827-9179 or visit our website at http://sussexcountynjirish.com/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SussexCoStPatricksDayParade/ .