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March 1, 2005

James P. Nolan, Jr. Named Grand Marshal for 32 nd Annual Celebration

Bigger and more music-filled than ever, the 32nd annual Irish Flag Raising and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by the Woodbridge American Irish Association, will be held on Sunday, Mar. 13, 2005.

Mayor Frank G. Pelzman will preside over the raising of the Irish flag, which begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 1 Main Street. The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at Woodbridge High School and travels down Route 35, turns left onto Main Street and concludes at Town Hall.

“This is the day we honor our Irish residents and celebrate everything Irish,” said the Mayor. “We look forward to a great turnout.”

Seven Irish bagpipe bands, seven school bands and over 100 marching units will be led through the Township by Parade Grand Marshal James P. Nolan, Jr. of Colonia, active for over 20 years in local church, community and cultural causes.

“I am thrilled to have been named Grand Marshal and to show pride in my heritage by being part of this terrific event,” said Mr. Nolan.

Other 2005 St. Patrick’s Day honorees include: Connie O’Donnell (Irish Person of the Year), Karen Marie Barcellona ( Miss American Irish) and Julie Gollas (Lady in Waiting).

By honoring individuals with extensive commitment to community aid projects, the Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade emphasizes the longstanding American Irish legacy of social service.

Grand Marshal James P. Nolan, Jr. is an attorney and principal of James P. Nolan Associates, Law Director for Woodbridge Township and Litigation Counsel for the City of Perth Amboy. He is State Legal Counsel for Ancient Order of Hibernians and longtime board member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Mr. Nolan’s community commitments include volunteering with Project Appalachia, Emmaus House, Woodbridge Buddy Ball and Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April.

Irish Person of the Year Connie O’Donnell has served his Colonia community as a volunteer in several capacities. A native of County Donegal, Ireland, Mr. O’Donnell came to the U.S. in 1950 and, with his wife Frances, have operated numerous cultural tours to Ireland.

Miss American Irish Karen Marie Barcellona is a 2003 Woodbridge High School grad now enrolled as a Fashion Design and Merchandising major at Katharine Gibbs in New York City, pursuing a career goal of owning her own clothes-making business. She traces her Irish ancestry to great-grandfather Thomas Curran of County Cavan, Ireland.

Lady in Waiting Julie Gollas of Edison is a senior at Bishop Ahr High School. Julie is active in student clubs promoting community leadership, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and international diplomacy. As part of People to People Student Ambassadors she has traveled to Australia and Europe as a conference delegate representing the United States.

Pipe and drum bands have been a staple of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for two centuries. Participating in this year’s Woodbridge parade are six stalwart units well known to audiences throughout the Tri-State area: Dal Riada Pipe Band, Middlesex County Police and Fire Pipe Band, Richmond County Pipe Band, Rockland County Scottish Pipes, Somerset County Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, Kenmure Pipe Band and Pipes and Drums of the Jersey Shore Shillelaghs.

“This parade is ultimately for the children,” said Woodbridge American Irish Association President Bill Donovan. “It’s a great way to pass along the Irish heritage and keep our traditions of culture, country and religion active and alive.”