County will no longer hold a St. Patrick's Day parade

There’s an Irish saying that goes, “However long the day, the evening will come.”

The sun is about to figuratively set over the Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has been a mid-March celebratory staple for county residents for the last 17 years. The parade committee announced its decision via an open letter on its website, saying the agreement was made at their last meeting in July to retire the annual festivities.

The letter thanks all who have contributed to the success of the parade since its inception, including municipal officials, supporters, marchers, and friends. Each year, the parade would raise funds for local organizations, reaching a grand total of $30,000 donated over the better part of the past two decades. The decision was confirmed by committee member Glen Vetrano on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when he attended a luncheon in honor of the Sussex County C.L.E.A.R. program’s 3rd Anniversary.

“I’m sad to say we are retiring the St. Patrick’s Day parade,” Vetrano said, “but as we closed out our business, we wanted to give in the spirit that we’ve been giving for 17 years, and so I’ve brought our final donation here today to support C.L.E.A.R. What you are doing here is not just helping one person, it’s putting families back together.”

Vetrano presented program founder and director Becky Carlson with a check for $1,000 to support C.L.E.A.R.’s mission to aid Sussex County residents with substance use disorders through recovery coaching and cooperation with law enforcement.

To read the parade committee’s letter, or for more information on history of the parade, the organizations which benefited, or the parade’s grand marshals, visit www.sussexcountynjirish.com.