See Photos From Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day Parade

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — As the temperatures slowly climbed, and the sun shone brightly, hundreds of people came out to celebrate Irish-American pride at the annual Woodbridge St. Patrick's Day parade, held Sunday.

Woodbridge's parade is the largest parade in the state.

"There were thousands of people there, easily," said Ken Gardner, a Woodbridge resident and one of the parade organizers. "It was great weather with a little wind. Parade chair Keven McCreary, his committee and the Woodbridge American-Irish Association successfully brought St. Patrick's Day to Woodbridge for the 51st year."

The day began with an Irish flag raising in the Woodbridge town hall parking lot and the parade started at 1:30 p.m. in front of Woodbridge High School. Ever year, the parade marches down Main Street and ends in front of Woodbridge Town Hall.

Woodbridge resident and retired Township employee Ed McSherry was parade grand marshal this year. Sean Daly was Irish Man of the Year and Peggy Foley Irish Woman of the Year. Alesandra McFadden, whose grandparents are Kathy and Jim McFadden of Woodbridge, was Miss American Irish this year. She lives in Clark. Katelyn Driscoll, a teenager from Middletown, was Irish Lady-in Waiting.