Press Release 1/28/19

SOUTH AMBOY The City of South Amboy has been densely populated with residents of Irish and Polish descent since the beginning of the 20th century when Immigrants came to work on the three railroads that crisscrossed the city. Children still play stickball and basketball in the streets, and newcomers to this tight knit community are cautioned not to say anything derogatory about any resident because everyone is related to everyone else. 

South Amboy resident Frank Conley came up with the original idea of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Amboy in 1976. The parade consisted of one bagpiper, the South Amboy Police, Fire and First Aid Squads and a small group of marchers representing the Frank Conley Association. 

Two years later, in 1978, a group of parade supporters organized the South Amboy Irish American Association to continue the parade as an annual event. Fast-forward to 2007: as parade participation continued to grow a committee of individuals from the Irish American Association, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and volunteers from South Amboy and neighboring towns as well as the present-day website: www.southamboyparade.com was created and the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee is recognized by the State of New Jersey as a 501c3 non-profit. 

The parade is one of the biggest events in South Amboy and has become one of the largest parades in the State of NJ, with more than 23 bands and over 2,000 marchers. Much of the success of the parade is due to the donations and generosity of local businesses, corporations and individual sponsors. Although supported by the City of South Amboy, due to the generous donations and fundraisers held by the Parade Committee, there is little cost to the City of South Amboy. 

On Friday, March 15, a free concert featuring Seamus Kennedy will kick off the cities festivities. Held at the Community Theatre of South Amboy at South Amboy High School at 7 pm, Mr. Kennedy who was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will entertain the participants with sing alongs to silly lyrics, a lively Irish jig, and cherished Irish ballads including “Danny Boy.” 

Festivities continue with a special mass to be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 256 Augusta St, at 9 a.m. to honor this year’s Grand Marshall and parade honorees. 

This year’s parade line up will include the addition of David Cedenꞌo and his Orchestra will provide a Latin beat with the sounds of Salsa music while the Uptown String and the Avalon String Band will bring the color, excitement and grandeur of the Philadelphia Mummers to South Amboy on Saturday, March 16th during the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Step off will be at 2 p.m. and line of march will include Bordentown Avenue and Broadway, South Amboy.