Somerville St. Patrick's Day Parade 2022: What You Need To Know

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Somerville's Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade is back on Sunday with some special guests after being canceled for two straight years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 29th annual parade will kick off on Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. with New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick J. Callahan serving as the 2022 Parade Grand Marshal. Callahan has served more than 27 years with the New Jersey State Police. Read More: NJ State Police Colonel Callahan Named Somerville's Grand Marshal

The free, family-friendly event parade will also be honoring healthcare heroes from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. Employees from the Somerville hospital and their families will march in the parade.

"After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to bring the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade back to Somerville," said Larry Doyle, co-chair of the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. "It is only fitting that we honor all those who cared for our community during this unprecedented public health crisis. The health care workers at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset truly are heroes, displaying remarkable dedication and fortitude in the face of so many challenges."

Marchers in the parade also include fire departments, Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout troops, American Legions, rescue squads, political officials and more.

The first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was held in Somerville in 1984 with the original parade route starting at Duke Island Park before heading to downtown Somerville. In 1991, the route changed to marching down Somerville’s Main Street.

Over the years there has been a surge in popularity with attendance jumping from 15,000 to 20,000 at the parade.

Along with the parade a Grand Marshal Celebration in Honor of Callahan will be held Friday, March 11, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Somerville Elks Lodge, 375 Union Ave., in Bridgewater. The event will feature the Willie Lynch Band. $50 per person donation. Click here to sign up.

For more information about the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, visit somervillesaintpatricksparade.com.

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