Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade Will Go On Despite Forecast

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — The weather forecast for Saturday is cold and windy, with snow possible.

Despite the cold weather forecast, the annual Morristown St. Patrick's Day parade will go on as planned, according to organizers.

"We are not planning to postpone, looking forward to marching down South Street tomorrow," said parade publicity director Michael Leavy.

The Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade, one of the largest in New Jersey, will return tomorrow, led by a longtime volunteer.

This year's parade, which begins at noon on Saturday, Mar. 11, will be led by Mendham resident Ryan Dawson.

Dawson is a member and past president of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County and has helped organize the event for more than ten years, most notably on the parade's finance committee.

Read more: Grand Marshal For Morris Co. St. Patrick's Parade Is From Mendham

"I’m honored to be part of a legacy to lead the parade and honor the Irish of Morris County and New Jersey," Dawson said. "It’s great to follow in such a legendary line of people."

The parade will feature over 4,000 marchers and nearly two dozen bands and will begin on South Street before winding its way around the Morristown Green and through town.

The day's events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a mass at Assumption Church. Look for live performances on the Green beginning at 10 a.m. with the Celtic Rebels Band and the National Anthem sung by Julia Cama with colors presented by the American Legion Post 390.

Before the parade, Irish dancers will perform, as will the Thomas Jefferson/Sussex Schools Band and Morristown High School, which will perform from the play "Cinderella." All children are welcome to participate in the pre-parade activities, including coloring the Shamrocks.

An interactive map is available on the parade website, paradeday.com, and includes a guide to comfort stations, bathrooms and parking around the route.

The Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade has been a long-cherished tradition for all residents, dating back to the winter of 1779-1780 in Jockey Hollow, Morristown. The parade is entirely funded by generous donations from corporate and individual sponsors, so there is no public money involved and no cost to taxpayers, officials said.

Because this event usually draws a large crowd, the police have warned that thousands of people are expected in Morristown.

The Morristown Bureau of Police will begin to close roads between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced along the parade route, with violators ticketed and towed.

Detours will be in place throughout the parade, but drivers should expect significant traffic delays between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Motorists passing through Morristown should allow extra time or take alternate routes during these times, the police said.