36th Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade by the numbers

One official St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen

Two miles of marching down Main Street

Green-bedecked spectators lined up six deep along the parade route

55 degrees and bright springtime sunshine

200 exuberant participating groups and organizations

364 days until the next parade Sunday

1,500 members of The Order of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh

Thousands of happy revelers on the streets of Belmar

Check back soon for pictures of Sunday’s festivities, or post your own in the Community Photos section.  Until then, relive 2009’s gray parade day by clicking through the gallery below, and gloat because you actually got a tan at this year’s exhibition.

Irish or not, there’s fun to be had at this Sunday’s Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday is traditionally a day of rest, but the promise of a good craic* this Sunday at the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade should be enough to draw you and yours out of the house and out to Main Street.

The 36th Annual Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest of it’s kind in New Jersey, kicks off this Sunday, March 7, at 12:30 p.m.  As always, the parade starts on Main Street in Lake Como and proceeds north through Belmar.  Sunday’s temperature will reach the 50s with sun predicted throughout the day, a welcome departure from last year’s freezing rain.

The spirited march will be led by grand marshal Charles Flynn of Wall and deputy grand marshal Janet McGrath, a Belmar resident.  Close to 1,000 marchers, including irish musicians, celtic dancers, and the newly crowned 2010 St. Patrick’s Day Queen and court will entertain thousands of bystanders decked out in festive green.  Get to Belmar early for parking a a prime spot along the parade route or you’ll be wailing like a banshee!

*Craic is common Irish slang for fun.  Read more about Irish slang and traditions by clicking here.

Visit the Belmar Parade website for more details, including directions, parade history and biographies of the 2010 Grand Marshal and Deputy.

Sign up now for the first Belmar’s Celtic Chase

Belmar will be hosting the first annual Belmar’s Celtic Chase, a one mile race, fun run, and walk on the beach, on March 6, 2010 to kick off the St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend festivities.  Organized in conjunction with Jersey Shore Running Club, the race starts at 9:30 a.m. at the Taylor Pavilion.  The entry fee for adults is $15.00 before March 1, $17 March 1-5 and $20 if registering on race day.  The kid’s fee, which applies to children 12 and under, is $10 before March 1 and $15 if paid on race day.  To pick-up pre-race packets and register, visit Jake’s Crab Shack on Ocean Avenue on March 5 from 5-7 p.m.  There will be awards for the Top 10 Males and Females, a Grand Prize for the overall winner, and random prize drawings.  Racers and their supporters are invited to the race Post Party, starting at noon.

To register online, visit Jersey Runner.

Click here to download an information and registration form that can be filled out and delivered, with a check for your race fee, to the Belmar Chamber of Commerce at 1005 1/2 Main Street.

For more information email the Tourism Commission at tourism@boro.belmar.nj.us.

Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser September 5th

Visit Bar Anticipation on September 5th for the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser and experience the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day without the bone-chilling 30 degree weather.  Tickets are $10 and come with a complimentary drink, All-You-Can eat barbecue, and a front row seat for the Billy Lawler Band and the Jersey Shore’s best bagpipers.

Belmar and Lake Como Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser Party
Bar Anticipation– 16th Avenue, Lake Como
Saturday, September 5
2pm to 6pm
Tickets $10

For more information and tickets call (732) 681-7422 or (732) 280-2648 or visit the Belmar Parade website.

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