25th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Coming To Union County

UNION COUNTY, NJ — After a two-year hiatus, the Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade is returning for its 25th annual celebration.

Marching bands decked out in their St. Paddy's best will take the streets of Union on Saturday, March 12. The parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but this year's parade is set to include a lot of fun entertainment.

The celebration will begin at 9 a.m. with The Thornstick Mass, hosted in conjunction with the Elizabeth A.O.H., at St. Patrick's Church in Elizabeth.

Then at noon, Reviewing Stand festivities at Morris and Struyvesant Avenues will begin.

At 1 p.m. sharp, the parade begins from Commerce and Jeanette Avenues. The parade route travels east along Morris Avenue to a turn at the Main Reviewing Stand at Stuyvesant Ave. and ends at Roosevelt Ave.

The Midway Reviewing Stand at Morris and Caldwell Avenues has parade announcers with details of all the participants, history and other information. Parade organizers said this is a great place to watch the parade.

The festivities continue from 2 to 7 p.m. with an Irish after party hosted by the Union County Emerald Society. The party will take place at Kenilworth Veterans Center following the parade, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Jack Casey Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Irish entertainment will also be provided by Brian Kennedy. Tickets are $25 and include food, beer, wine and soda.

The Union County Emerald Society, an organization of law enforcement officers and firefighters of Irish descent, has deep roots in the communities of Union County and strives to celebrate Irish heritage and culture while also supporting important causes. This includes Project Children and the Union County Baseball League.

For tickets and more information, call 908-447-3675. Tickets are also available at the door.

The Kenilworth Veterans Center is located at 33 South 21st Street in Kenilworth.