Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2020 Guide

MORRISTOWN, NJ - It is the day where everyone is a little bit Irish, and since 1991 it has been celebrated through the streets of Morristown. This year is no different as the 2020 Saint Patrick's Day Parade returns to Morristown March 14.

Since 1991 Parade Day has begun with Mass at Assumption Church at 10 a.m. The Mass is a special celebration of Irish Culture in honor of St. Patrick. Step off is at noon at Morristown Town Hall, 200 South Street. The parade route follows South Street to the Morristown Green and continues along Washington Street to Morristown High School.

This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event, officials said. The parade is fully self-funded and receives no public funds for parade expenses. There is no public money involved so there is no cost to tax payers.

Fast-facts about the parade, which is enjoyed by thousands of participants and spectators:

• March 16, 1991, the annual Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade stepped off in Morristown for the first time with 3000 marchers, 13 bands and several floats and fire companies. There were thousands of spectators there to enjoy the day. It was a great day for everyone and has been ever since.
• From 1991 though 2014, the parade has grown to over 120 diverse groups, including over 20 bands, with over 4000 marchers with 50,000 to 80,000 spectators enjoying the Parade each year depending on weather.
• In 2000, the Morris County Parade history was submitted by Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen to the Library of Congress and was. featured in the Library of Congress Local Legacy Program, a high honor and tribute to the efforts of parade organizers and volunteers. Our parade got national recognition. Today, it takes over 75 volunteers putting in in excess of 2500 hours each year to put on the Parade.
• In 2006, to accommodate the parade’s growth in size and popularity the Parade route was extended three blocks by going around the Green instead of just passing through it.
• Since 1991, the Parade has voluntarily donated over $250,000 to the Town of Morristown as part of the Parade’s good neighbor policy to keep the parade from costing taxpayers anything.
• Since 1991, the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Inc. has donated almost $350,000 to local charitable organizations in keeping with the mission of our Non-Profit organization.
• Since 1991 Parade Day has begun with Mass at Assumption Church at 10:00 AM. The Mass is a special celebration of Irish Culture in honor of St. Patrick.
• In 2012, the Parade added Pre-Parade events to entertain spectators around the Green while waiting for the Parade to start.

2020 Grand Marshal

The trustees of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Morris County have selected Mary Waller as their 2020 Grand Marshal. Waller is a member of the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey, the Parade Committee Secretary and is on the Board of Trustees. Waller has been a loyal volunteer on various parade committees over the years and her contributions are endless, officials said.

Waller was born in 1938 in Jersey City, the daughter of Mary and Maurice O’Connell and the oldest of four girls: Mary, Eileen, Sheila and Patricia. Her father is a first generation and her mother is a third generation Irish American. Her paternal grandparents were born in Tullig, Dingle, Ireland and Macroon, Cork, Ireland and her maternal grandparents family is from Drumcliffe, Sligo, Ireland.

She attended A. Harry Moore School and St. Aloysius High School. She married Kenneth Waller in 1958 and traveled to Berkeley, California, while Kenneth served in the U.S. Army at the Nike Ajax Site. When Kenneth was discharged from the U.S. Army, they returned to Hudson County and had five children: Kenneth, Elizabeth Halbach, Jeffrey, Terence and Mary Anna Waller Strid and she has been blessed with twelve grandchildren: Erin, Jack, Molly, Donald, Kylie, Ceili, Matthew, Michaela, Fiona, Zoe, Declan and Elin. Kenneth was diagnosed with atherosclerosis at an early age and a role reversal was required. Waller found employment at the Secaucus Town Hall with the help of the Secaucus Fire Department where her husband had volunteered. She furthered her education in Public Administration by attending Hudson County Community College and Jersey City State College. Waller married John Zaremba in 1996. She retired as Chief Legislative Aide for the State of New Jersey in 2001 and relocated to Lake Mohawk. After the death of her second husband, she became a more active volunteer and in 2017 moved to Long Valley.

Through the years Waller has volunteered her services to many causes:

• Immaculate Conception School in Secaucus
• Hudson County Assoc. for Retarded Citizens’ Board Member
• Secaucus Housing Authority Chairman
• Atlantic Health System Newton Medical Center 2009 to present
• President of Auxiliary, Advisory Board Member, Sparta Cancer Center Volunteer, former Foundation Board Member
• Irish American Assoc. NW NJ – Served as Second Vice President, Feis General Manager and Publicity
• Morris County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade – 2009 to Present – Parade Committee Secretary, Pre-Parade Entertainment Committee

Waller enjoyed the Céilithe and being part of other events and immersed herself in her Irish Heritage by taking lesson in Irish Dance, Music and Language. Officials said her Irish heritage and upbringing have provided her with the strength, perseverance, humor and understanding that we are all a product of our life’s experiences.

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