Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade Announces Awards, Charities

Blustery, freezing temperatures could not tamper the enthusiasm for the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade held Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.

Despite the cold, thousands gathered along River Road to cheer on the 2022 Parade Grand Marshal Charles Hill Jones and his family who led bagpipe bands, floats, high school marching bands, Irish Step Dancers, antique and classic cars, veteran groups, scouts, local sports teams, non-profit clubs, novelty acts, and local and area business and civic groups.

Funds raised from the Parade’s year-round events, along with corporate sponsorships, donations, and a Parade ad journal have supported local charities that benefit the community. The 2022 Parade benefitted Shore House, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey free mental health support community open to all who seek its services. The Parade Committee also designated funds for the preservation work of the Monmouth County Historical Association (MCHA), which the Jones family has supported for many decades.

“The return of the parade signals a return to a more normal community life; we are thrilled to be able to support Shore House and the Monmouth County Historical Association for their for providing mental health services and preserving our county’s history,” said Parade Committee Member Jamie McManus.

Grand Marshal Charles Hill Jones and his family, who have resided in Rumson since 1970 and have supported numerous charities through the “The Hunt” fundraising event, started the parade at Allen Street and River Road at the Oceanic Hook & Ladder, and led the participants through Rumson along River Road, ending at the intersection of Carton Street and River Road by the Rumson Fire House.

Parade Awards Announced

Parade Committee Members Pete Hogan and Chris Smith formally presented Awards with prizes to students who entered the annual Irish Heritage Poster Contest and Michael J Larkin (MJL) Irish Essay Competition and Parade Awards in seven categories. The student contests were open to all students from Rumson and Fair Haven, attending public, private or parochial schools and all students attending RBC, CBA, and Trinity Hall. This year, the MJL Irish Essay competition received over 75 essays, making it the most submissions ever. Due to this increased interested and quality of submissions, the Committee decided to add a 3rd prize. Families joined students to accept the awards that included a green glass engraved trophy and funds to further the student’s education. Winners are:

Poster Contest (Grades K-8)

· K-3, First Place: Brynn Bialock, Third Grade, Holy Cross Academy*

· 4-8th, First Place: Caelin Burke, 6th Grade, Holy Cross Academy

Michael J. Larkin Memorial Essay Competition (Grades 9-12)

· First Place: Willian Coughlin, CBA

· Second Place: Brent Foytlin, CBA

· Third Place: Brady Prunty, CBA

Parade Awards

Judges for the 2022 Parade were Mary Ann Dickson, Brian Brennan, and Bob McGinty. They chose winners who received commemorative green glass engraved plaques in the following categories:

Best Marching Unit

CBA Pipes and Drums Band*

Best Junior Marching Unit

Holy Cross Academy – The Irish Saints

Best Irish Step Dance

Daly Irish Dance School*

Best Float

Ryser’s Landscape Supply*

Best Novelty Unit

Beauty & The Beast

Best Pipe Band

The Pipes & Drums of the Atlantic Watch

2022 Presidential Award

Wall High School JROTC*

*Photos/Captions follow below.

Parade organizers noted the generosity of their sponsors, including OceanFirst Bank, The Fort Athletic Club, Stanger Investment Banking, and Ryser’s Landscape Supply, along with Ad journal supporters and volunteers who make the Parade possible.

All event information will be posted on the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade website and social media pages (@Rumsonst.pats).

Full Press Kit & Images: https://bit.ly/2022RSPDPPressKit

Captions & Photos: (https://photos.app.goo.gl/ecfT9hkEoLeyz2zh6)

1- US Olympic Bob Sledder, Fair Haven Resident Charlie Volker with Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn, County Surrogate Maureen Raisch, County Commissioner Sue Kiley and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger

2- The Charles Hill Jones Family – Charles and Hope Jones surrounded by family who came together for the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

3- Parade Committee Members: Christian Smith, Gail Tobias, Jamie McManus, Mike McEvilly, Matt Jones and Mike Maguire. Missing from photo: Pete Hogan, B. Carr Mahon, Charles Moran

4- Shore House represents with their banner & bus.

5- Lead Sponsor: OceanFirst Bank float

6- Monmouth County Historical Association Float

7- Grand Marshal Charles Hill Jones with Hope Haskell Jones

8- Sponsor The Fort Athletic Club float

9- Students carry the lead parade banner

10- CBA Marching Band

11- Everyone is Irish Today!

12- Girls all decked out in their green

13- Parade watchers

14- Surf parade watchers

15- Parade step off

16- Shore House member with Executive Director Rich Ambrosino

17- Girls Scouts of the Jersey Shore troop

18- Girls in their best Irish sweaters

19- Wee lasses watch curbside

20- Penelope the Pug in costume

21- Youngest Daly Irish Dancers

22- RFH student volunteers

23- Ryser’s Landscape Supply

24- Charlie Volker- US Olympian float

25- Parade Judges (Mary Ann Dickson, Brian Brennan and Bob McGinty)

Awards Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cPV7Djj3tdpNAZG96

1. 2022 Presidential Award: Frank Harrison, Wall Twp. Public School JROTC Instructor, Socials Studies and Physical Education Teacher joins Parade Committee Chris Smith and Pete Hogan to accept the 2022 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade President's Award.

2. Best Float: Devin & Marty Ryser accept the Best Float Award from Rumson Parade Committee Chris Smith

3. Best Irish Step Dance School: Joining Parade Committee Chris Smith and Pete Hogan are Gillian and daughter Jillian Daly, who accepted the Best Irish Step Dance Award for Daly Irish Dance School at the annual Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade Awards Ceremony, held March 24, 2022 at Val's Tavern.

4. Best Marching Unit Award: Chris Smith and Peter Hogan congratulate CBA Pipes & Drums members Jack Bailey, William Coughlin, Shane Wedlock, Brian Hughes and CBA Brother Frank with the Parade's Best Marching Unit Award.

5. MJL Essay Winners: Parade Committee Members Chris Smith & Pete Hogan congratulate CBA students Brent Foytlin, (second place) and William Coughlin (first place) winners of the Michael J. Larkin Memorial Irish Essay Competition. Not pictured, CBA student Brady Prunty, third place winner.

6. Irish Heritage Poster Contest: Parade Committee Members Chris Smith & Pete Hogan congratulate Holy Cross Academy Third Grader Brynn Bialock for her winning poster in the K-3 Irish Heritage Poster Contest. Not pictured: Holy Cross Academy 6th Grade winner Caelin Burke.

7. Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Members Pete Hogan and Chris Smith with the 2022 Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade Awards

8. Green Glass engraved Rumson St. Patrick's Day Parade Awards and Prizes

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The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade (@Rumsonst.pats) celebrates Irish heritage and provides charitable gifts to local organizations improving our community. To date the Parade has provided more than $200,000 in support to over 30 local organizations that also strongly believe in the spirit of giving. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, corporate sponsors including the continued support of title sponsor OceanFirst Bank, individual donors, participants and volunteers, The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a community event that will continue to give back for decades to come.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Board of Trustees

James McManus

Christian Smith

Michael McEvilly

Matthew Jones

Charles Moran

Peter Hogan

Mike Maguire

B Carr Mahon

Gail Tobias