Local Life

Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Makes Comeback

2017 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Photo/Elaine Van Develde

Rumsonites are rolling out the green carpet for the return of the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

A relatively new Rumson tradition, which began in 2013, what has officially been dubbed the Ninth Annual Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade will hit the streets of Rumson at 1 p.m. on March 13, 2022 after a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic.

In reality, it is the eighth actual parade, but the committee has chosen to call it the ninth, counting the missing parade year.

As this year’s parade makes its way down River Road in Rumson, led by this year’s parade grand marshal, Rumsonite Charles Hill Jones, the expected thousands of spectators will be entertained by bagpipe and area high school marching bands, floats, Irish step dancers, antique and classic cars, veteran groups, scouting organizations, non-profit clubs and organizations, schools, novelty acts, and local and area business and civic groups.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities kicked off in February with a series of family-friendly Irish-themed events that culminate in the parade.

Funds raised from the parade committee’s fall golf outing, winter activities, corporate sponsorships, donations and parade ad journal have supported local charities that benefit the community. The 2022 Parade benefits Shore House, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey free mental health support community open to all who seek its services. 

“Every year the Committee not only brings this family-friendly parade to Rumson to celebrate the Irish heritage in our community but also to support local charities,” says Jamie McManus. “The return of the parade is a sign of our returning to a more normal community life. Choosing Shore House NJ, acknowledges the mental health struggles we have all felt during this time, and gives us a way to help support their free programs and services.”

About Grand Marshal Charles Hill Jones …

Grand Marshal Charles Hill Jones and his family, who became a longtime Rumsonite with his family in 1970, has supported numerous charities with his 60-year wife, Hope Haskell Jones. Hope is the daughter of Armory Haskell, founder and chairman of the Monmouth Park Jockey Club and originator the annual charity fundraiser The Monmouth County Hunt Race Meet, dubbed “The Hunt” fundraiser, which was held for many years on the Haskell property in Middletown. 

Together with Hope, who served as president of the Monmouth County Historical Association for several years, the Jones’ have devoted themselves to multiple civic and educational organizations. 

Professionally, Jones had a long career in financial services, with a special interest in security analysis that spanned multiple business sectors: senior management positions as vice president and director of research at Wood, Struthers & Winthrop, Inc. in New York; senior vice president and chief investment officer at Midlantic National Bank in Edison; chairman and president of New Jersey Title Insurance; and partner, president and treasurer of Edge Partners, Ltd., where he is still active. 

Jones and his wife now have homes in Little Silver and Florida.

Jones will step off the parade at Allen Street and River Road at 1 p.m. on parade day, leading the march through Rumson along River Road for approximately one and a half miles, ending at the intersection of Carton Street and Forrest Avenue.

Learn more about Charles Hill Jones by clicking here.

Parade-Related Events and Swag …

Area residents can purchase commemorative parade merchandise at Cups and Cakes in Rumson. Residents can also participate in a series of community events and activities that lead up to the parade to celebrate the community’s Irish-American heritage including: 

All event information will be posted on the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade website and social media pages (@Rumsonst.pats).  ​​

The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade (@Rumsonst.pats) celebrates Irish heritage and provides charitable gifts to local organizations improving our community. To date the Parade has provided more than $200,000 in support to over 30 local organizations that also strongly believe in the spirit of giving. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, corporate sponsors including the continued support of title sponsor OceanFirst Bank, individual donors,  participants and volunteers, The Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a community event that will continue to give back for decades to come. 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Board of Trustees: James McManus, Christian Smith, Matthew Jones, Charles Moran, Michael McEvilly, Peter Hogan, Mike Maguire, B Carr Mahon, Gail Tobias

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