Ringwood holds Passaic County's only St. Patrick's Day parade March 24

RINGWOOD — For residents of Passaic County, this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day parades are just the opening act.

On March 24, the Borough of Ringwood hosts its 29th annual parade to celebrate the holiday, the only one in the county. The parade kicks off at 1 p.m. near the T.D. Bank on Skyline Drive.

Joseph Walker, the local police chief and parade committee chairman, said the 14 bands lined up to march should be fully prepped to perform.

So why is the parade being held after the March 17 holiday? Because most of the performers Ringwood wants for its parade are busy marching in other area parades on that day.

"Most of our performers are tied up the week before,” Walker said. “We wait for the following week, so they’re ready to go.”

Performers include the New Jersey State Police pipe and drum band and bands from Lakeland Regional, West Milford and Hawthorne. 

Herb Allen III, this year’s parade grand marshal, said he is ready to go as well. The 58-year resident and local Republican club leader said he's excited to make the most of the day despite early forecasts predicting temperatures in the 40s and a chance of rain.

“I think it’s going to be a nice day,” Allen said. “I don’t trust those weather forecasts.”

If it does rain, Allen said he will not let a soaked sash dampen his parade.

“It’s going to be a very emotional day for me,” he said. “It’s just a great, great thing for our town, our community, and our county.”

Allen, who owns a linen supply company and active with various community boards, clubs, and drives, is set to lead a line of bands, step dancers, and first responders from four counties on March 24.

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The parade route will take marchers and drivers from the Skyline Drive bank to St. Catherine of Bologna Church on Erskine Road a half-mile away. The parade is expected to end at the church’s Parish Center with a 2 to 5 p.m. celebration with food, beverages, music, dancing, and vendors.

“Every year it seems to get better and better, with more and more people coming up to Ringwood,” Allen said.

The parade is organized by a committee of about 25 volunteers reliant on donations. The day’s festivities begin at the Erskine Road church with an Irish Mass at 9 a.m. The traditional Unity Breakfast follows at the Parish Center at 9:45 a.m.

This year’s parade is dedicated to the late Howard Van Natta, a former councilman who served as mayor in 1986-87 and died in January. A Korean War Army veteran, Van Natta worked in the insurance field, was a past president of the local Republican club, and served on multiple borough boards and committees.

“He was on the Board of Adjustment; Board of Health. He was on everything,” said Walker. “He was completely devoted to the town.”

The year’s outstanding citizen is Patricia Telschow, a math teacher at Lakeland Regional High School. In addition to leading various extracurricular activities with Ringwood high school students, Telschow has been involved in local Girl Scouts and Ringwood Recreation Committee initiatives, Walker said.

To purchase $20 tickets to the Unity Breakfast, call Joe at 973-962-6135 or Lynda at 973-222-6190. To donate to the parade, send a check or money order to St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, P.O. Box 431, Ringwood, NJ 07456.