A chilly wind may have blown down streets and boardwalks Saturday, but the mood was definitely spring as Atlantic City and two towns in Cape May County held their annual St. Patrick's Day parades.
Adults, children and even dogs sported green clothing as they watched bagpipe-and-drum bands, floats, community groups and vehicles make their way from one end of the Atlantic City Boardwalk to the other. Youngsters scrambled for candy, green beads and other goodies thrown from the floats and cars along the route.
Maddy, 10, and John, 7, Wood of Linwood started jumping for joy when they saw the lights of the police motorcycle at the head of the parade inch towards their spot.
Maddy Wood said she was anticipating the float from McGettigan's 19th Hole in Galloway Township, because they are family friends.
"I do an Irish jig when (the music) comes by," said Maddy, wearing a green beret with a white pompom and a shirt declaring, "Not only am I perfect ... I'm Irish too."
The parade, which took about a half-hour to pass any given spot on the Boardwalk, was led by a police motorcycle, the Atlantic City High School color guard and grand marshal Cathy Burke, owner of the Irish Pub, riding in a rolling chair.
A few riders on horses from the upcoming rodeo, scooters from the Seniors on the Go rental company, a trolley carrying members of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers and sporting pro-union signs and the Adopt-A-Setter group with dogs in green jackets and collars joined the more traditional participants in the parade.
Victoria Mancinelli, 19, of Absecon squealed with joy as she caught a small heart-shaped box of chocolate thrown from a passing vehicle.
"Show us your shoes," Mancinelli shouted as Ms. New Jersey Senior America Becky Orsatti, of Atlantic City, rode by in a 1929 Ford Phaeton. Orsatti happily complied.
Ten-month-old Patricia Casey, of Northfield, sported a green, shamrock-shaped bib that read "My First St. Patrick's Day Parade" with a bow in her hair to match.
Older brother Steven Casey, 9, said he hoped to spot a leprechaun in the parade. Sister Madeline Lynskey, 7, said she wanted to see a pug dressed like a leprechaun.
Parents Paula and Martin Casey said they came for the music and the Irish spirit.
Hundreds came out in North Wildwood to honor the patron saint of Ireland and bask in the only holiday where one nationality is celebrated by everyone.
The crowd sang the Irish national anthem and celebrated with a parade down Atlantic Avenue. The Irish flag was raised at City Hall and the crowd, many from Irish organizations in the area, listened to speeches. Members of the Angelsea Irish Society, Cape May County Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Cape May County Emerald Society talked about all their programs to support the community.
"Some people think we made this holiday up to have a party and get drunk. We are a giving-back organization," Hibernian Michael Maguire said.
The Irish wit was in abundance.
"We originally offered grand marshal to Charlie Sheen but he was busy today," joked Joe Rullo, the grand marshal of the parade.
Several priests were on hand to lead prayers. St. Patrick, who died March 17, 461 A.D., was above all a holy man, though he may be more well-known for driving the snakes from the Emerald Isle. Celebrations have been held in his honor on March 17 since around 800 A.D.
After the serious part of the program, it was time to parade. The procession included the Wildwood High School Marching Band, a 10-foot tall leprechaun, an organization trying to save turtles called Team Turtle, Miss North Wildwood Hannah DiBruno, firefighters and beach patrols, Duffy's String Band and many others.
Duffy's included local resident Cheryl Crowe who recently became the first female inducted into the Philadelphia String Band Hall of Fame. Crowe plays the banjo and bass fiddle.
"I've been doing this all my life, 59 years," Crowe said.
The parade included a replica of the legendary vessel Jeanie Johnson made by North Wildwood Public Works and escorted by Boy Scout Troop 185 of North Wildwood.
"It used to be a wooden lifeguard boat. We got it from Beach Patrol," said Tim Chester, of the Public Works.
The original Jeanie Johnson, a 408-ton three-masted barque, was famous for transporting Irish immigrants to America during the great potato famine. From 1848 through 1855 it made 16 crossings with more than 2,500 immigrants and not a single one died in spite of cramped quarters and almost two months at sea.
Historians credit the amazing track record to kind-hearted ship owner Nicholas Donovan and skilled captain James Attridge. The Jeanie Johnson always had a doctor on board. Sanitation was stressed and the immigrants were even pushed to take daily walks on the deck.
Sea Isle City held its 21st St. Patrick's Day Parade before hundreds lining the route along Landis Avenue. City Council President Mary Tighe said the Irish Weekend brings the seasonal residents back to town.
"The weekend people are down starting to open their homes up. They enjoy the parade and see people they haven't seen all winter. Everybody's Irish today," Tighe said.
As the Atlantic City parade wound down, Kai MacNeill, 6, of Galloway Township tallied up his booty collected from the floats.
His favorite part of the parade was "when they give out stuff," and he picked up lucky coins, beads, candy and a T-shirt.
"Daddy's going to wear that one," said his mom, Ginger MacNeill.
Sister Kiera, 4, said her favorite part was "seeing Grampy" march and play with the Atlantic City Sandpipers Band.
Dad Gavin MacNeill said he just enjoyed "watching the kids catch candy and wave to everyone who went by."
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