18th annual Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade to feature competition of floats – redbankpulse.com

It’s been a huge draw, so it should come as no surprise that the annual Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade is slated to return on Saturday, March 21!

The Highlands Business Partnership will paint the town green for the 18th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 2:00 PM. The colorful festivities will highlight Irish culture with nearly 100 marching units including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and beautifully decorated floats. The parade will begin at Waterwitch Avenue and extend along Bay Avenue. The 2020 Grand Marshals are Nancy Burton and Eileen Ricco, proprietors of In The Garden, Highland, NJ.

Nancy Burton was born and raised in Highlands and has been an active volunteer in the community. She has served as a board member of the Highlands Business Partnership from 2007 – 2018. Nancy is married to Highlands Police Department, Chief Robert Burton and they have two children, Jack and Neil. Nancy opened In The Garden in 2005 and at its current location at 69 Waterwitch Ave. since 2009. Nancy served as Councilwoman for the Borough of Highlands from 2003-2007.

Eileen Ricco, co-owner of In The Garden, grew up in Wall Township, and had lived in Highlands for 5 years, and she currently resides in Belford with her husband Stephen and their son, who will be two in April. Eileen started working at In The Garden in 2009, and she became Nancy’s business partner when the store reopened on Valentine’s Day in 2013, after sustaining damages from Hurricane Sandy. In addition to the support Nancy and Eileen give to the Highlands Business Partnership and the Borough of Highlands they also donate their time to many non-profits and local organizations in the surrounding area, including the Visiting Nurse Association, the Middletown Art Center, Monmouth Park, Sandy Hook Foundation and many local schools.

The 2020 Grand Marshals will lead the parade beginning at Huddy Park with hundreds marching along a one mile stretch of Bay Avenue. Highlands Business Partnership will host the annual “Competition of Floats.” All Businesses and/or Organizations in Highlands will be competing in three (3) categories: Best of Show, Prettiest, and the Most Original. In addition, a trophy will be presented for the Best of Apparatus.

Participants representing Military, Political, Civic, Church, and other community organizations will proudly march. The Henry Hudson Regional Marching Band and Cheerleaders will be performing with over 100 members. The Pipe and Drum Bands include the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Middlesex County Police & Fire Pipes and Drums, Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Pipes and Drums of Old Bridge, Essex County Emerald Society Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Staten Island Pipes & Drums and Richmond County Pipes & Drums.

Don’t miss the Highlands Business Partnership’s “Lucky Pot of Gold” 50/50 Raffle. Please support the non-profit Highlands Business Partnership and purchase a 50/50 ticket, all proceeds “pay the pipers.” There is also a Super Shamrock 50/50 Raffle, tickets are $100.00 and only 200 tickets will be sold, winners need not be present for either drawing. Parade-goers can be sure to receive free giveaways thrown from the many floats competing in the parade. Visit one of Highlands’s many great restaurants for pipe bands and other live entertainment. This parade is made possible by the Highlands Business Partnership and its generous sponsors; Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, US Foods, CME Associates, Franny’s Pizzeria & Restaurant, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, Realtors, Proving Ground, Bahrs Landing, Off The Hook and Hufnagel Tree Experts. For additional information, call 732.291.4713 or visit www.highlandsnj.com.

The 18th annual Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade will run from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. starting at Huddy Park, running along Bay Avenue, and then ending at Veteran’s Park.

source: Highlands Business Partnership via Facebook