St. Patrick’s Day Parade Unfolds in Style in Sea Isle

Tripp Christensen’s colorful outfit for Sea Isle City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade surely made everyone else green with envy.

The 7-year-old Tripp wore a green Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt, a green bowler hat and some stylish eyeglasses that were green, of course. He also carried a miniature flag of Ireland.

As the parade was just about to get started Saturday afternoon on Landis Avenue, Tripp had one thing on his mind.

“Candy,” he said emphatically,” prompting a laugh from his mother, Laura Christensen and his grandmother, Ann Christensen.

As is tradition, marchers threw wrapped candy to hundreds of children lining the sidewalks along the parade route on Landis Avenue from 82nd Street to 63rd Street.

The Christensens, who live in Lancaster, Pa., watched the start of the parade at Landis Avenue and 82nd Street, right in front of their summer vacation home in Sea Isle. The family members also included Tripp’s little brothers, Kolbe, 2, and Billy, who will turn 1 next week.

    Spectators dressed in St. Patrick's Day garb wave as the parade passes by on Landis Avenue.
  

Ann Christensen said the family watches the St. Patrick’s Day parade almost every year and loves the community spirit it generates.

“We enjoy taking part in it. It makes the winter weekend extra special because we see people we haven’t seen all year,” she said of how the parade draws so many visitors to the shore during the offseason.

Sea Isle Mayor Leonard Desiderio and his family have sponsored the St. Patrick’s Day parade for its entire 33-year history. Desiderio and his late brother, Gerard, started Sea Isle’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and Columbus Day parade in 1992, setting the stage for both to become annual traditions.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on the Columbus Day parade and it was canceled. Desiderio has said he hopes to revive the Columbus Day parade.

Dressed in a bright green shirt that said “Ireland” on it, Desiderio joined with the other marchers as the parade rolled along Landis Avenue for 20 blocks under overcast skies and temperatures in the mid-40s.

“Everyone is Irish on this day,” Desiderio proclaimed. “Everyone is looking to have a good time, and that’s what this parade has done for 33 years.”

    Sea Isle resident Tim Kelly, who portrays St. Patrick every year, is among the elaborately costumed marchers.
  

The parade has become so important that St. Patrick himself makes an appearance every year – well, sort of.

Tim Kelly, a Sea Isle resident, portrays the patron saint of Ireland in the parade by dressing up in a shimmering green robe, ornate headdress and flowing white beard.

“I’m 100 percent Irish. But it’s a parade for everybody, not just for the Irish. So it’s a great day,” Kelly said.

Kelly and other parade marchers waved to hundreds, if not thousands, of spectators amid a sea of green clothing, hats, beads, shamrocks, comical shaggy wigs and Irish flags.

An array of costumed characters entertained the crowds. The Durning String Band provided the musical backdrop for the lively procession.

Police cars, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles flashed their lights and blared their sirens and horns to crank up the excitement level.

    Trevor Keany watches as his two sons and two nephews collect wrapped candy tossed to them by parade marchers.
  

Children were scurrying about, scooping up the wrapped candy tossed their way by parade marchers.

Trevor Keany watched in amusement as his sons, Connor, 7, and Kieran, 5, and his nephews, Timmy, 8, and 6-year-old Liam Ellsworth, filled up their hats and plastic bags with chocolates and other sweet treats.

Keany, whose family owns a vacation home on 81st Street, said his children love watching the parade every year.

“They’re here for the characters, the entertainment, the music, the dancing and, of course, the candy,” he said, laughing.

    Mayor Leonard Desiderio celebrates as the parade gets underway.
  

    The Durning String Band serenades the crowds.
  

    Sea Isle's VFW Post 1963 Commander Joe McLenaghan leads the color guard.
  

    A vintage Sea Isle City fire truck is part of the procession.