Record attendance possible for Morristown Parade

MORRISTOWN – What a difference a year makes.

The sun will be shining for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, bringing with it some of the best weather the annual march has seen in years, and likely the crowds to go with it.

The 38th annual event is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the state, and has been held in Morristown for 26 years after moving from Wharton.

Temperatures are expected to hit a high of about 63 degrees Saturday afternoon with a zero percent chance of precipitation and a calm wind of 5 to 8 MPH expected in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

But while the skies will be blue, expect plenty of green on and around the Green.

With good weather, the parade has attracted 70,000 to 80,000 people in the past, and after frigid temperatures last year, and no snow on the ground, attendance is expected to be just as robust on Saturday.

“Attendance is going to be through the roof this year,” Parade Committee Member Michael Leavy said. “It’s a family-friendly event, one of the biggest parades in the state, and the weather is going to knock it out of the park.”

Leavy said he’s been attending the parade since the 90s, but this is his first year as a volunteer.

“The parade is a great institution, a celebration of Irish pride and of the town,” Leavy said. “Everybody’s Irish on Saturday, and this year the parade is as big as it’s ever been. We’re really excited.”

Attendees are encouraged to arrive well before the noon stat-time to ensure good seat along the parade route.

While there are plenty of great places to watch the parade, Leavy recommends finding a spot around the Green or the nearby Seeing Eye statue, which offer great vantage points for the musical acts.

Road closures along the parade route are expected to begin at 11:45 a.m., with Morristown Police directing motorists to detours. All roads will reopen immediately after the parade.

Minor delays are expected Saturday afternoon due to the large crowds and road closures.

As always, Morristown Parking Authority is offering free garage parking from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Parade Day. Prevailing rates will apply for those that leave after 5 p.m. so people are asked to take a ticket just in case.

Morristown St. Pat’s parade Grand Marshal reception http://dailyre.co/1p7RCPu

Festivities for the day will begin at 10 a.m. with a Mass at Assumption Church 94 Maple Ave.

Pre-parade entertainment will also begin at that time on the Morristown Green, kicked off by The Blarney Session, which will perform traditional and modern Irish music.

At 10:30 a.m., VFW Post 390 from Denville will present the colors and a 21 Gun Salute, followed by a national anthem sung by Molly Halbach and a welcome by Mayor Tim Dougherty and his wife Mary.

At 10:45 a.m., DeNogla-Ardmore Academy of Irish Dance will perform, followed by another set by the Blarney Session and a concert by the Thomas Jefferson and Sussex Avenue School bands.

At 11:20 a.m., Drew University student Kelly Morgan will present a brief history commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

The Slattery School of Irish Dance will perform at 11:30 a.m., featuring New Jersey’s Rose of Tralee, Elaine Slattery.

The children “Chalking of Shamrocks” will commence at 11:40, featuring more music from the Blarney Session, after which the parade will kick off at noon by this year’s starter, Msgr. Martin Rawscher.

The Line of March will begin at town hall, heading down South Street and around the Green. From there March will continue onto Washington Street before ending up on Atno Avenue at Morristown High School.

Morristown St. Patrick’s Day Parade line up set http://dailyre.co/1QPhgVU

Thousands of marchers from 126 organizations are scheduled to participate in the parade, from bankers to beauty pageant contestants. Musical groups marching include pipe and drum bands, bagpipers and high school marching bands.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Morristown resident John Hyland, returning to the post after having to step down last year due to a battle with cancer. He has been actively involved in the parade for many years.

Hyland back as grand marshal for Morristown St. Pat's parade http://dailyre.co/1Ro3LbZ

To keep the festivities family friendly, the parade is alcohol free, and crowds will be monitored by both the Morristown police and the parade committee.

Many bars in town open earlier for Parade Day, adding to the throngs of parade-goers, but the number of arrests and summonses issued on Parade Day has dropped in recent years.

Sixteen arrests were made at the 2015 event, down from 29 in 2014, though that may be attributed to overall low attendance due to the weather. Summonses reached a peak in 2011, when 135 were fined for violations of local ordinances.

Go to http://paradeday.com/ for more information.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com