WEST ORANGE, NJ – The 67th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in West Orange on March 18 drew thousands of spectators and brought out hundreds of school district marchers.
This year’s Grand Marshal was Donald R. Shauger, Sr., who grew up in West Orange in the Lourdes section of town. He recalled growing up poor and depending on Our Lady of Lourdes Church to help feed his family. In turn, Shauger announced to the crowd by the grandstand manned by Stephanie Gallo and Carol Sharkey Corcoran that he had renovated and repaired the long-broken down bells at the church and that they rang again, bringing cheers from neighborhood residents.
Deputy Grand Marshals were West Orange resident and police officer Brad Squires, Robert Lynch, and Sean McGinley. Sheila Parisi, lifelong West Orange resident, public schools alumna, public school parent, and wife of Mayor Robert Parisi, was the 2018 Parade Chairwoman.
West Orange School District students, parents, and teachers were well-represented via school and community organizations including an appearance by the Marching Mountaineers, WOHS Winter Color Guard, Cheerleaders, and Boys and Girls Step Teams. School and township officials, West Orange Fire and Police, Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Girl/Boy/Cub Scouts and Brownies, PAL, Mountaintop and other school marching bands peppered the landscape in what was one of the largest parades to-date. The parade even featured the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band from County Roscommon, Ireland.
Please enjoy our photos and don’t be surprised if a wee bit of twinkle appears in your eye as the smiling faces of the West Orange community proudly marched along Main St.
See all photos by Cynthia Cumming here.
See all photos by Buzz1441 here.
