JERSEY SHORE – It was misty day along the Boulevard in Seaside Heights but there were plenty of parade spectators wearing various shades of green for the celebration of those Irish and Irish for the day.
There were festive floats, marching groups, and lots of Irish spirit for the annual Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Part of the event’s tradition included the parade committee’s annual mass that morning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Grant Avenue. This year’s grand marshal, Sammy Hammer, owner of the Crabs Claw Inn, rode in his establishment’s sponsored float. The Irish woman of the year was Peggy Hurley who was on a float of her own.
Another tradition was an after party to keep the celebration going at the Hershey Motel. You could see the Massed Band presenting a 40-foot American Flag while pipe bands joined together performing “Amazing Grace.” The post parade party featured the Drunkin’ Clams as entertainment.
Tom King serves as president of the parade committee and has supported the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade since its inception in 1976. He marched in the parade when it was originally held within the Ocean County Mall, then when it was in downtown Toms River, and for many years in Seaside Heights. He has been committee president since 2017.
The parade stepped off from J Street in Seaside Park and moved down toward Carteret Avenue in Seaside Heights. Most spectators, including dogs, were dressed in some form of green attire. Roaming peddlers made sure items of interest like small Irish flags, hot pretzels and inflatable leprechauns were available for sale.
Sitting in a chair a few hours prior to the parade to get a good spot in her green hoodie with her Irish flag and bundled in a blanket was Kerri Sles. She grew up in Toms River and lives in Brick and her family has made this a Saint Patrick’s Day tradition.
“We are Irish so it is our thing every March. My son Joe is with me and my husband and my other son are over at the Burger 25 truck getting a bite to eat. This parade brings the family together. We have other family members who are coming to it and we spend the day together.”
Further down the street were two young lads sporting green hats. Maxwell and Lucas Ardente were with their grandmother Amy Everling of Cranford who also owns property in Seaside Park. “This is a tradition. I came with my daughter and my grandchildren.”
The owners of Ryan’s Deli, a popular stop along the Boulevard, stocked up on their corned beef and were fully prepared for lunch. You could purchase a corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich for $12 or a full platter of corn beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots for $18.
Klees Bar & Grill was another traditional gathering point on the street with their own parking lot party set up for those to raise a glass of amber fluid in a toast to Irish heritage and the parade.
You could also meet royalty while walking parade route: Ms. New Jersey Senior America 2025 Vin Iyer of Trenton. “I have done a couple of parades. I did one on July 4 and I will be doing another next month.”
Staff of the Ocean County Library brought out the Cart Wheelers as part of the parade.
A truck provided a bit of a preview commercial for the March 14 New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge with a truck that featured a large electronic screen that advertised the event with scenes from last year’s plunge that will be held on the oceanfront of Seaside Heights.
One of two notable events that helped support the parade was the Parade Committee’s 7th Annual Irish Festival Shamrocks by the Sea held on September 27, 2025 at the Seaside Park Marina. The festival featured the Shantys, Ballyhaunis, The Shamrock and Thistle Pipe Band, and Devrin School of Irish Dance.
The Committee’s annual Irish Wake fundraiser was held last month at Hemingway’s Café on the Borough Boulevard.
