St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated at Newton Parade
Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County during the festivities. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
NEWTON, NJ – In spite of chilly temperatures and some light frozen precipitation, parade spectators cheerily lined Spring Street on Saturday, March 21 to watch the Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Green dyed hair and outfits were aplenty during the festivities on the sidelines and in the parade, where bands, people, fire trucks and floats passed by.
The annual parade has been held in Newton for the last decade, Mark Hontz, the familiar emcee every year, told the crowds. The parade was born 12 years ago as an idea at Sullivan’s Gaslight Inn with John Sullivan and Dennis Harrington. The first parade was in Lake Mohawk, the second in Franklin and since then it has been held in Newton.
Dennis and Mary Harrington, the 2015 Grand Marshals. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Each year, Grand Marshals are chosen for the parade and this year Dennis and Mary Harrington held the honors.
Newton’s Town Crier, William Joseph, passes out gold coins to children watching the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A military presence was part of the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Members of Newton’s Town Council march down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Newton Medical Center employees dressed in St. Patrick’s attire for the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Newton Medical Center’s float. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of Newton First Aid Squad’s rigs in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Franklin Fire Department’s Truck with lights and sirens blaring. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Fire Department members marching in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A leprechaun has his place in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A canine member of the Stanhope Fire Department peeks his head from the truck. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A plush dalmatian greets local kids. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Senator Steve Oroho and Asssemblywoman and Franklin Borough Administrator Alison Littell McHose march with Sussex County Freeholder and Assembly candidate Gail Phoebus (center). Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sussex County Republican Committee is towed along with Assemblyman Parker Space driving a tractor. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) has a presence in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Christ Community Church members march and have a float where the church band plays. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The parade kicked off with Newton Police Chief Michael Richards leading the lineup. Among the participants: An Clar School of Irish Dance, Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce, Ginnie’s House, the American Cancer Society, Newton Medical Center, American Red Cross, Irish American Association of Northwest New Jersey, Rory O’Moore School of Pipes and Drums, Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County, Rangers of Wild West City, Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes, New Jersey Quarter Horse Association, Christ Community Church, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Franklin Band, the Vernon Vikings Band, Lenahan School of Irish Dance, Sussex County Republican Committee, Sussex County Democratic Committee, the 200 Club of Sussex County, Civil War reenactors, Catholic Schools and organizations, and local dignitaries and beauty queens, were among them.
The Franklin Band carries musical cheer to Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Little Miss Newton was one of the young ladies in the parade lineup. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sussex County Democratic Committee in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Kim Strada marches with daughter Brianna Strada with the Girl Scouts. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Fluffy Alpacas were part of the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The NJ Quarter Horse Association galloped through town. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Many county fire departments and first aid squads also marched in the parade. Among them: Andover Borough, Andover Township, Franklin, Fredon, Newton, Hampton, Hamburg, Lafayette, Montague, Branchville, Stanhope and Vernon Fire Departments. The Lakeland Emergency Squad, Newton First Aid Squad and the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad also participated.
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