Scotch Plains Local To Kick Off St. Patrick's Day Parade

UNION, NJ — The Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off on Morris Avenue in Union on Saturday, March 10 at 1 p.m.

This year’s Grand Marshal, John McPartlan of Scotch Plains, will lead the march of bagpipe and high school bands, local police and fire department units, veterans groups and many more organizations through the center of Union.

“I am excited to be a part of this parade and all that it stands for year after year. This parade is about tradition and family,” McPartlan said. “It’s a great day for the Irish and Union County.”

McPartlan, the owner of Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Clark, has been involved with the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade for several years.

The Brooklyn native has strong Irish roots with his father John hailing from County Leitrim. His mother Sally Ann O’Connor was the daughter of William and Mary (Sheridan) O’Connor, each born and raised from either side of Ballinrobe in County Mayo.

The publican is active in local Irish American circles, most notably for organizing and hosting the annual golf outing benefitting the parade.

“John has done so much for both the parade and for the community,” said Parade General Chairwoman Kathleen Holmes. “We are so proud to have him lead us as this year’s Grand Marshal.”

This year’s parade is dedicated to St. Patrick and all of the Saints of Ireland.

The 2018 Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade will feature high school marching bands from the Township of Union and Roselle Park and the Governor Livingston High School Highlander Band.

The many bagpipe bands marching include the Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums and the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band. Also marching will be Fourth Degree color guards from the Knights of Columbus, non-profit units and local police and fire departments.

The Castlerea Brass and Reed Pipe Band from Castlerea, Roscommon, Ireland will once again be marching.

A Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Elizabeth at 9 a.m. to begin the day followed by a welcoming reception in the church hall. St. Patrick’s Church is located at 215 Court St in Elizabeth.

The family-friendly festivities kick off at noon at the reviewing stand located at the corner of Morris and Stuyvesant Avenues in Union Center with a warm Irish welcome from parade officials, traditional Irish music and Irish step-dancing.

The one-mile parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Commerce Avenue and Morris Avenue, proceeding east on Morris Avenue to Union Center and south onto Stuyvesant Avenue, ending at Roosevelt Avenue.

The parade will also feature a Kids Zone presented by the Union Special Improvement District. The Kids Zone will feature inflatable rides, walk-around entertainers and activities for the whole family. Located on Stuyvesant and Morris Avenues, the Kid Zone brings additional amusement for young visitors, as well as the young-at-heart.

For more information about the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade visit www.unioncountystpatricksdayparade.com.

(Image via Union County)

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