'Incredible Honor' To Be Named Woodbridge Parade Grand Marshal

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Lifetime Woodbridge resident George Aston said it was "beyond an honor" to be named Grand Marshal of the Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day parade, which will kick off at 1:30 p.m. this Sunday.

It was Aston's parents who were original members of the Woodbridge American Irish Association when it first started in the 1960s.

"The club was started in 1966 by a group of Irish immigrants and my parents joined it one year later. They loved being members," he recalled. "My father was very dedicated to it; he was dedicated to anything he did."

"The American Irish Association just became part of our family. My father and sister were grand marshals in the past. This will be the 41st parade that I've worked on and I've put the parade line-up together for the past 33 years. You can only be named Grand Marshal once."

Grand Marshal means Aston will start the parade, roughly: Woodbridge Police will walk first, joined by other law enforcement and local military groups, and then he will march, with his wife, Kathy, beside him.

"Being named the Grand Marshal for what will be the 50th Woodbridge Saint Patrick’s Day parade is an honor that I know gives my wife and our boys Ryan, Connor and Sean great pride," he continued. "I also know that my late parents, George and Mary Aston, would be proud to know that I have continued the tradition of honoring our Irish culture."

Aston's Irish roots run deep, to say the least.

"My wife and I were married on St. Patrick's Day," he told Patch this week. "Every single family member I have has made the trip back to Ireland (the family traces their roots back to County Cork). The parade is a celebration of being Irish, of being an Irish immigrant in America."

Aston said he was excited to take over his parents' legacy in the Irish-American civic group: Over the years, he's held various titles in the club, including financial secretary, sergeant at arms, president, vice president and director.

For the past 33 years, he's been parade coordinator, which means he was responsible for assigning the line of march on parade day.

Aston achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with the Woodbridge Boy Scouts, which he said "prepared me to be a leader in my community."

He's been appointed to the Woodbridge Planning Board and the town Environmental Committee. He coached his three sons' basketball, baseball and football teams, and was even wrestling director for various leagues and teams throughout Woodbridge over the years.

He is currently retired from his job of 40 years with PSE&G, where he was a proud union member of UA Local 855.

His three adult sons moved out of state, but he and his wife love living in Woodbridge Township.

"I went to Colonia High School; my kids went to JFK. It's a great community and we have close ties to both schools and throughout town," he said. "I used to have to travel a lot for work, but there was nothing like returning home to Woodbridge. This is home. Whenever my kids come back in town, our house is the house where they gather with all their friends.

Said Aston:

"I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the honorees this year. To my wife, Kathy, you have been with me every step of the way, I couldn’t have done all this without you. To my sons: Your Mom and I are so proud of the independent men you have become. Lastly I want to thank the American Irish Association and Parade Committee for naming me Grand Marshal for the 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. It is truly an honor that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

This year is the 50th year for Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day Parade

The 2024 Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day parade will be from 1:30 - 4 p.m. this Sunday, March 10.

The parade steps off at 1:30 p.m. sharp at Woodbridge High School, hits Freeman Street and Linden Avenue, then marches down Amboy Avenue and ends in front of Woodbridge Brewing Company on Main Street.

There will be many bagpipe bands, high school marching bands and decorated floats. Parade supporters include San Remo’s, Moby Dicks, Big Shots, Stricklands, Il Castello, the Reo diner, Woodbridge Brewing Co. and Main Tavern, all of which will be open all day on parade day.

All are welcome for a celebration of Irish heritage and culture. This is the 50th year of the parade, so expect it to be one of their biggest and best yet.