After Snowstorm Delay, Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sets March 28 Return with 100,000 Expected

A large St. Patrick’s Day event at the Jersey Shore has been rescheduled after a heavy snowstorm this week. The 53rd Belmar-Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Monmouth County will now be on Saturday, March 28.

Traditionally held on the first weekend of March, the procession was originally set for March 1. The Jersey Shore was hit by a historic blizzard on Sunday and Monday, with some sections receiving more than two feet of snow. Officials canceled the parade due to road conditions and public safety concerns.

Blizzard and safety concerns for participants and spectators prompted the postponement, organizers said. While the parade has a rich history, Chip Cavanagh stressed safety. He said the storm was record-setting, but organizers wanted to preserve more than five decades of history. By shifting the parade to March 28, officials hope to provide a clean route and safer viewing spots for the massive throng.

Organizers call the Belmar-Lake Como parade New Jersey’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Jersey Shore has tens of thousands of fans each year. Organisers expect around 100,000 participants this year, reflecting the event’s longstanding popularity and regional significance.

The parade’s size has expanded steadily. Last year, 6,700 marchers, including 17 bagpipe bands, registered. Strong participation figures demonstrate the parade’s importance as a cultural celebration and a major community meeting that brings together local groups, performers, and visitors from around the state.

Officials are confident that the rescheduled date will allow the celebration to go smoothly despite the storm. Rescheduling rather than canceling the parade highlights its 53-year heritage and Jersey Shore tradition.

Three other New Jersey St. Patrick’s Day parades slated for this weekend had not announced any adjustments as of early Thursday afternoon. The Belmar-Lake Como procession had to revise its plans.

With better weather forecast later in March, organizers are focused on executing the community’s annual huge celebration. Residents and visitors are preparing for March 28, when Belmar and Lake Como will again be filled with green attire, marching bands, and thousands of Irish heritage enthusiasts at one of the state’s biggest seasonal events.