Camden County Hosting Inaugural St. Patrick's Day Parade

The Camden County Freeholder Board is teaming with St. Mary’s Parish, Gloucester City, the Gloucester City Business Association and the Gloucester City Tavern Association to sponsor Gloucester City’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 6 at 1 p.m.

“The Freeholder Board is proud to be one of the sponsors of the inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Gloucester City,” Camden County Freeholder Bill Moen said. “I’m sure this event will become a St. Patrick’s Day tradition for everyone in Camden County.”

The parade’s theme is “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Irish Independence” and commemorates Ireland declaring its freedom from England. On April 24, 1916, the day after Easter, members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Irish Citizens Army took key locations in Dublin to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic.

“The parade starts at King Street and travels up Monmouth Street to Johnson Boulevard,” Moen said. “There are great places all along the parade route to view the variety of marching bands, string bands and Irish dance groups that will perform.”

Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of the Diocese of Camden will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshall.

“I am honored to be a part of Gloucester City’s inaugural Saint Patrick’s Day parade, which this year is dedicated to the many men and women who gave their heart, soul and, for many, their lives in support of Irish independence. May Sunday’s parade be a fitting memorial to these patriots and a celebration of the Ireland they fought so hard to protect,” Sullivan said.

Additionally, an Irish-themed Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, located at 426 Monmouth Street in Gloucester City on Sunday, March 6.

The annual St. Mary’s Irish Night will be held in the Gloucester Catholic High School Gym, located at 340 Cumberland Street, on Friday, March 11, 5 p.m. There will be Irish food, Irish music and Irish dancing.

On Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. there will be an ecumenical service at St. Mary’s Church on the eve of the Feast of St. Patrick.

For more information, visit www.stmarysgloucestercity.org or www.camdencounty.com.