St. Patrick's parade committee thanks Straus photographer

On the morning of March 17, a group of people known as the Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Committee met at the Irish Cottage Inn in Franklin at 7:30 to have a hearty traditional Irish Breakfast. Their day was full of projects to make sure the St. Patrick's Day parade came off without a hitch. The morning was like being in the highlands with the fog. But then, as if on cue, the fog lifted and out popped the sun. Spring Street in Newton was lined with parade viewers as wide as the Irish Sea. They would be delighted with over 900 paraders, some on foot, some in vehicles, some on horses. The Advertiser-News South, Advertiser-News North, Township Journal and Sparta Independent captured the essence of our St. Patrick's Day parade, with 189 photos taken by Gale Miko — just outstanding pictures! Starting with the Grand Marshal, Peggy Cofrancesco and her family to the paraders to the NJ Quarter Horse Association with 30 beautiful horses parading up Spring Street at the end of the parade, the photos were terrific. The Parade Committee is thrilled with the coverage and grateful to all who came to participate and to view the Ninth Annual Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Parade. And special thank you to Newton's mayor and Town Council, who have extended the invitation to parade in Newton, for the past six years. Next year will be our ten-year anniversary, and we hope to have a the luck of the Irish as we did this year. A picture perfect day, captured in the 189 perfect pictures! Thank you to all. Our organization is not for profit and depends solely on donations. Mary Harrington Franklin Parade committee member www.sussexcountynjirish.com