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James E. McGreevey |
William D. Watley |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Karen Wolfe - 609.292.2523 |
| NEW JERSEY GOES 'GREEN' FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS THIS MARCH Trenton, N.J. (February 27, 2004)—From Shamrocks to leprechauns and all things Irish, New Jersey goes 'green' to celebrate St. Patrick's Day throughout the state this March. "St. Patty’s festivities abound in New Jersey," says Nancy Byrne, executive director, New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism – and herself a wee bit Irish. "New Jersey's Irish heritage is far reaching. In fact, approximately 18% of the state's population is of Irish descent. It's no wonder the wearin' of the green blankets the state with celebrations from Jersey City and Morristown to Belmar and Atlantic City." The skirl of Irish pipes can be heard as early as Saturday, March 6, during a 10:00 am Mass in Belmar’s St. Rose Roman Catholic Church to launch the state’s largest St. Patrick’s Day festival. Irish music and the blessing of sashes worn by the grand and deputy-grand marshals punctuate the service. Then, there’s an Irish lunch at Mike Doolan’s in Spring Lake. On March 7, the following day, New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s parade starts at 12:30 pm and draws from 150,000 to 250,000 spectators lining the Belmar route. About half the 35-40 marching bands are bagpipes from all over the tri-state area. Traditional Irish fare can be found in such Belmar enclaves as Patrick’s Pub, Bar Anticipation and the Boathouse, and crowds of merrymakers spill over into the neighboring towns of Spring Lake and Avon -- known as the “Irish Riviera.” For more information, contact 732-280-2648; www.belmarparade.com. Also on March 7, Allaire Village (www.allairevillage.org) in Farmingdale will present a 1830s St. Patrick's celebration. Irish residents of the village will commemorate their heritage complete with Irish music, dance and festivities at 1 pm and 2pm. On March 9, sounds of pipes, fiddles and the bodfiran drum will fill Princeton's McCarter Theater when Ireland's beloved Chieftains perform their traditional Irish music. For ticket information, contact 609-258-2787 or www.mccartertheatre.org. Jersey City celebrates on March 12 beginning with Breakfast at Saint Peter's College, Pavonia Room 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Tickets are $8. There is a Mass scheduled at Saint Adan's at 10:00 am sponsored by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. The Parade steps-off at 12:30 pm from Lincoln Park/Kennedy Blvd. north to Journal Square to the reviewing stand. For more information, contact 201-386-0970. Saturday March 13 is a busy day for parades and celebrations. Seaside Heights sends forth 22 bands of pipes, marchers and Mummers along the Boulevard, at 12:00 noon, marking its 20th year and the traditional kick-off of the spring/summer seashore season in Ocean County. Ranked as one of the Top 200 events in the nation by Events Business News, this year's parade begins at noon. Contact 732-830-1847 for more information. Morristown's annual St. Patrick’s parade is also on Saturday March 13, starting at 12:00 noon on South Street, with bands, floats, bagpipers and fun family activities (973-993-9788; www.morristourism.org). And, if you happen to be in Atlantic City, stop by the 18th annual St. Patty's parade along the world-famous boardwalk. For more information, contact 609-266-1283. Appearing at the Arthur P. Schalick High School in Pittsgrove on March 13, is Tommy Makem, renowned member of the Irish Folk ensemble the Clancy Brothers. Join Tommy for a sing-along to some of Ireland's most famous songs. Performances are at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Tickets are $18. For information, contact 800-394-1211. Join the Town of Highlands for their annual St. Patty's Parade on Saturday March 20. Beginning at 1:00 pm on Bay Avenue, the parade has more than 60 units. For additional information, contact 732-946-2711. Newark’s 69th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration – the oldest in New Jersey -- is on Sunday, March 21st, starting at 1:00 pm and going down Broad Street to the Federal Building. Afterwards, revelers can find Irish fare and entertainment at the likes of McGovern’s Tavern, in existence since Prohibition and one of oldest Irish pubs in NJ; Hamilton’s Pub and Green Street Café; a short distance away is Cryan’s Beef & Ale in South Orange. For more information, contact 973-228-4838. If you can’t make one of these parades, there’s always another. For a listing by date: www.saintpatricksdayparade.com. Irish restaurants and pubs throughout New Jersey serve up Irish specialties for St. Patrick’s celebrations, with green beer, corn beef and cabbage – even green pizza – live music and entertainment. Check www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/other/irish%20bars.htm for restaurant and pub lists. One noteworthy Irish institution in New Jersey is The Porter House Restaurant in Montvale, where the entire interior was crafted in Ireland and reassembled here and filled with Irish antiques. St. Patrick’s celebrations run from Sunday March 14th through Sunday, March 21st, with live and recorded Irish music and food, including daily full Irish breakfast of Irish sausage, black and white pudding, eggs, rashers (type of bacon), mushrooms, home fries and traditional brown and/or soda bread. For more information, contact 201-307-6300; www.porterhouseusa.com. For a 2004 New Jersey Travel Guide, contact the New Jersey Office of Travel & Tourism, at 800-VISITNJ (847-4865); or check the website at www.visitnj.org
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