St. Patrick's Day Parade a Morris County Tradition

It's almost here! We are mere hours away from the 2013 Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown.

The parade lineup, which features folks from Parsippany and the entire county. has been released. You can view the complete lineup in the PDF in the Photos & Videos section of this article.

This year's parade begins at noon Saturday, March 9, in front of Kings on South Street. From there it will proceed down South Street and around the Morristown Green, ending on Atno Avenue.

Who's Who of St. Patrick's Day

This year's parade includes 20 bands, representatives from the Police Unity Tour, Morris County mayors, freeholders and council members (including Parsippany's Councilman Jonathan Nelson, who will march with the Morris County Democratic Party group), visiting U.S. Congress members, state representatives, and of course floats from sponsors such as Wells Fargo Bank, Morristown Medical Center, Knights of Columbus and Lakeland Bank.

You'll also see floats from The Seeing Eye (yes, dogs wil be part of the float), the Morristown and Morris Township Library, Molly Malone's, Dublin Pub, Blackthorn Irish Restaurant and Pub of Parsippany, St. Patrick School, Market Street Mission and local volunteer fire departments from throughout Morris County.

Oh, and there are about 70,000 spectators—that's you!—expected to come join in the festivities.

Talk about a grand marshal

Morris Sheriff Edward V. Rochford will be the 34th parade grand marshal. The Morris Township resident traces his family roots to County Cork, Ireland, and is a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Morris County, The Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey and the Paul W. McKenna Morris County Chapter of the Emerald Society.

Need a place to park?

On-street parking will be available Saturday, but not along the parade route. Municipal lots will also be open. Arrive early, and be responsible! Designate a sober driver or hire a car or taxi to pick you up.

And don't forget the man for which the parade is named. A celebration Mass will begin at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 91 Maple Ave.

The Morris Area Committee to Reduce Gun Violence is also hosting a breakfast with keynote speaker Rob Cox, a Newtown, Conn., native and co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise at 9:30 a.m. at the Parish House of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown.

So pull out your best green and make sure to look for Patch Saturday at the Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade!