Ocean County St. Patrick's Parade: Watch It Live

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — Organizers are finalizing the last-minute details for Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.

This year's grand marshal is Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, who was officially sworn in as a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in February. The parade, which steps off at noon, departs from J Street in Seaside Park and marches north along The Boulevard to Hiering Avenue.

In addition to Kelaher being named grand marshal, Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines has been named Irish Woman of the Year, the first time parade organizers are giving the honor. The parade also will honor municipal workers: "These diligent men and women take care of our towns to make our lives easier," said Tom King, chairman of the Ocean County St. Patrick's Day Parade.

This year also includes a new celebration: After the parade, there will be a party open to those 21 or older at the Tri-Boro First Aid building at J Street in Seaside Park with Irish music, traditional Irish food and refreshments. The doors for the party will open at 4 p.m. and there is a $5 entrance fee. The Tri-Boro First Aid Squad is at 61 J St. in Seaside Park.

If you are planning to attend the parade, which steps off at noon and marches along the Boulevard from Seaside Park north into Seaside Heights, there are a few things you should know or keep in mind.

Patch is at the parade live from Seaside Heights. Watch it here:

"On this day, as we honor St. Patrick and celebrate the Irish-American heritage," King wrote. "Let us have fun, but keep the parade diginified."

To that end, here are the parade rules:

1. There are no alcoholic beverages permitted in the parade or among spectators along the parade route.
2. Floats must have a theme reflecting Saint Patrick, Irish or Celtic American.
3. To insure a steady flow of the parade there will be no stopping at the reviewing stand.
4. All signs and banners must be approved by the parade coordinator before noon on parade day.
5. Because of the growth of the parade, all units must maintain a maximum of two car lengths between units. Please cooperate with parade marshalls they are there to help the parade move along in an orderly fashion.
6. Because of insurance regulations, the throwing of candy, gum, trinkets, etc. is prohibited.
7. No commercial advertising on vehicles in the parade, except for paid sponsors.
8. The committee reserves the right to refuse participation in the parade to any individual or group they deem to be offensive on in bad taste.

The goal is to celebrate Irish heritage and have a fun family event that is safe for everyone attending, King said.

Municipal parking is free in Seaside Heights on Saturday (parking fees resume April 1) but expect some areas to be blocked off due to the parade.

If you're going, plan to head over early as the Mathis Bridge on Route 37 into Seaside Heights remains closed and all eastbound traffic is being funneled to one lane on the Stanley J. Tunney Bridge. That could mean tie-ups on Saturday morning.

If you are planning to drink alcohol on Saturday at any of the bars in Seaside — and many are advertising St. Patrick's specials for parade day — use a designated driver or plan to call an Uber or Lyft to get home. The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced there will be stepped-up enforcement all weekend to keep an eye out for impaired drivers. Route 35 and Route 37 are being targeted specifically, with patrols all the way to Point Pleasant Beach on Route 35 and all the way to Manchester on Route 37, the prosecutor's office said.

Photo of Mayor Thomas H. Kelaher provided by Toms River Township