Somerville’s 29th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will honor health care heroes from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility. Employees from the Somerville hospital and their families will march in the parade, which is set to step off Sunday, March 13 at 1:30 p.m. in Downtown Somerville and is expected to draw 15,000 to 20,000 spectators.
“After a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thrilled to bring the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade back to Somerville,” said Larry Doyle, co-chair of the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. “It is only fitting that we honor all those who cared for our community during this unprecedented public health crisis. The health care workers at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset truly are heroes, displaying remarkable dedication and fortitude in the face of so many challenges.”
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset has been a long-time supporter of the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade and is the Platinum Sponsor of this year’s event.
“Our team is humbled and honored to be recognized during this year’s Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Tony Cava, president and chief executive officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. “We are also proud to help support this event and bring together the Somerville community for a joyous occasion after a very difficult two years for all of us. We are so grateful to our community for their generous donations and heartfelt messages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped lift our spirits and renewed our strength.”
Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, is the parade’s Grand Marshal. Callahan has served more than 27 years with the New Jersey State Police.
A free, family-friendly event, the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was held in Somerville in 1984. The original parade route started at Duke Island Park and then traveled to downtown Somerville. The current route down Somerville’s Main Street began in 1991.
For more information about the Somerville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, visit www.somervillesaintpatricksparade.com. To learn more about Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, visit www.rwjbh.org/somerset.