This weekend kicks off the start to parade season and one of the biggest and most historic in the state takes place in Belmar. The Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade is celebrating 50 years this year.

The parade lasts hours as crowds usually top 50,000, lining Main Street from Lake Como all the way north to 6th Avenue in celebration of Irish heritage. More than 7000 marchers and 100,000 spectators are expected to line the parade route.

The parade began back in 1974 – as a small event geared towards attracting people to the Shore community during the offseason. Now, the parade has grown into what organizers call the largest parade in the state.

This year, the parade will break recent tradition of hosting co-grand marshals. Longtime parade associate and chairman Chip Cavanaugh will serve as the singular grand marshal to recognize his decades of service. Pipe and marching bands from all over the state will fill the town with music along with much more.

The parade steps off around 12:30 p.m. by the lake and works its way north along Main Street to Sixth Avenue.