Approximately 120 marching units, including bagpipers, marching bands community organizations and elaborately decorated floats will be featured in the Highlands Business Partnership’s 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday, March 21, at 2:00 PM.
The highly popular community tradition will have Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon as Grand Marshal as well inclusion of a patriotic tribute recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States, adding an extra layer of celebration to the day’s festivities.
The parade will begin at Huddy Park and continue along Bay Avenue, bringing festive energy and Irish spirit to the heart of town.
Grand Marshal Broullon, a devoted community leader, first discovered Highlands in 2002 while searching for a vacation home. She fell in love with the town, gave up her New York City apartment, and moved here full-time, building lasting friendships and a lifelong dedication to the community.
Education has been a cornerstone of the mayor’s journey. After twelve years of Catholic school, she graduated from Notre Dame Academy, earned her bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in marketing from CUNY Sunnyside, and achieved multiple terms on the Dean’s List while working full-time.
Before public office, Broullon enjoyed a decades-long career in market research, managing international projects, running her own consulting business, and serving as Vice President at a global research firm — honing skills in budgeting, negotiation, problem-solving, and listening that she brings to her work as mayor.
In 2013, she helped reintroduce non-partisan elections in Highlands and later served on the Borough Council. In 2017, she and her spouse Danica opened Feed & Seed, a local business supporting Highlands and the downtown area.
Elected mayor by a single vote in 2019, Broullon made history as the first openly gay mayor in Monmouth County. Since then, she has led Highlands through revitalization, flood mitigation, and community-focused growth, securing millions in grants to strengthen parks, sidewalks, and infrastructure. The Highlands Business Partnership proudly recognizes her as Grand Marshal to celebrate her dedication to the community as she leads the 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade down Bay Avenue.
The parade will also feature the Highlands Business Partnership’s annual “Competition of Floats,” where Highlands businesses and organizations will compete for trophies in the categories of Best of Show, Prettiest, and Most Original, along with an award for Best Apparatus.
Participants representing military, political, civic, church, and community organizations will march in the parade. The Henry Hudson Regional Marching Band and Cheerleaders, with more than 100 members, will perform. A special highlight of this year’s parade will be the return of the Baltimore All-Stars Marching Unit, a nationally recognized performance group known for its high-energy routines, precision marching, and vibrant showmanship. Having marched in Highlands before and quickly becoming a crowd favorite, the Baltimore All-Stars bring an exciting blend of music, movement, and pageantry that is sure to thrill spectators once again.
The parade will also feature numerous pipe and drum bands, including the Monmouth County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Highlands’ own Solas Ana Mara Pipe Band, Lia Fail Pipes & Drums, Middlesex County Police & Fire Pipes and Drums, Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Pipes and Drums, Essex County Emerald Society Police & Fire Pipes and Drums, Union County Police & Fire Pipes & Drums, Staten Island Pipes & Drums, and Patrick Torphy Pipes and Drums.
Among the many community groups and organizations in the line of march, the Food Pantry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church will be in the line of march for the first time. Parade goers are urged to seek out the “Food Basket of fruits and vegetables” which will highlight how the church pantry aims to help all residents of the community. For the second consecutive year, the Pantry won the People’s Choice aware in the annual Chili Contest the Partnership sponsors in advance of the Parade.
Parade-goers are strongly encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to Highlands, ample time for parking, and the best views of the floats, marching bands, and pipe bands, as well as the opportunity to enjoy nearby restaurants and entertainment before the streets fill with spectators.
The regularly scheduled 4 p.m. Saturday evening mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Route 36 has been moved to St.. Agnes Church, Atlantic Highlands for March 21, to avoid the crowds and ensure parishioners and guests have ample parking for mass.
Don’t miss the Highlands Business Partnership’s “Lucky Pot of Gold” 50/50 Raffle and support the non-profit Highlands Business Partnership by purchasing a ticket, as all proceeds help “pay the pipers.” The winner need not be present for the drawing.
This parade is made possible by the Highlands Business Partnership and its generous sponsors: Monmouth County Tourism, Montecalvo/Bayshore Family of Companies, Bahrs Landing, Bridge Marina, Farmacie by the French Market, Dovetail Vintage Rentals, Gateway Marina, The Honorable Plant, Hufnagel Tree Service, In the Garden, Off the Hook, Proving Ground, Seafarer, Valley Bank, WRAT 95.9, PKF O’Connor Davies Accountants and Advisors, Collier Engineering and Design, and Little Haven AirBnb.
For additional information, call 732-291-4713 or visit www.highlandsnj.com.
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