Belmar’s St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off Sunday. What to know about traffic, routes and weather
The Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade will step off on Main Street in front of tens of thousands of people.
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It's that time of year again when the Jersey Shore crowds turn Main Street into a sea of green.
An optimistic Belmar Mayor Jerry Buccafusco says the shore town is ready for up to 100,000 spectators when the 51st annual Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes to Main Street.
“I think it’s going to be perfect parade weather,” Buccafusco said. “It’s always a great event. It marks the start of the spring season and probably the largest event held here in Belmar.”
Mayor Jerry Buccafusco talks about the parade below:
Matthew Whille runs Corner Bagelry and is looking forward to the crowds.
“It’s a great spike this time of year, it brings a lot of happy faces, a lot of patrons come, sticking around in the street, wanting to come inside, get warm coffee, it’s always fun,” he said.
As street crews prep the traditional green line in front of Pyanoe Plaza, this year’s event will feature four grand marshals, including sisters Kathleen, Michelle and Megan Lewis.
“It is very exciting. Going to parades has been a big part of our background growing up with our family. Jersey City parade, Belmar parade,” Megan Lewis said.
Her sister Michelle Casserly said, “it’s quite a spectacle to see thousands and thousands of people clad in green with the pipes and businesses down Main Street to support it.”
GUIDE: St. Patrick's Day Parades in New Jersey
It’s a tradition linking generations to the past, present, and future.
“We are proud because it’s also my dad’s birthday –St. Patrick’s Day. It was always a great celebration for my children, and we are just so happy to pass down the tradition and heritage to my grandchildren,” said Mike Casserly, the sisters’ dad.
Parade route, directions
Sunday’s parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. in Lake Como and features more than 6,500 marchers. It's expected to last several hours.
For more information on the parade route and directions, click here.
A look at Sunday's weather
Heading to Belmar's St. Patrick's Day Parade this Sunday? New 12's Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Mike Rizzo shows you what the weather will look like that day:
Road closures to know about
Beginning at 6 a.m., the Belmar and Lake Como Department of Public Works will begin to place barricades along Main Street from 5th Avenue South to North Boulevard.
Main Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic by 8 a.m. and until the conclusion of the parade.
Those who need to travel to areas East of Main Street are advised to utilize 5th Avenue or Ocean Avenue by way of Spring Lake. Eastbound and westbound traffic will be permitted on 8th Avenue, 12th Avenue and eastbound traffic on 18th Avenue until 11:30 a.m.
Parade participant staging areas will be closed on North Boulevard from B Street to Main Street starting at 7 a.m.
Proof of residency will be required to travel east of Main Street in the area of 18th Avenue and North Boulevard.
