Honoring the Legacy: United Irish 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The United Irish Associations of West Hudson invites the community to celebrate Irish-American heritage at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2025. This cherished tradition is a proud display of the vibrant Irish-American culture that has played an essential role in shaping the West Hudson area. Kick-off is at 1 p.m. from the Harrison Town Hall and making its way north up North Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. on its way to the Kearny Town Hall on Kearny Avenue in Kearny NJ.

As one of the most significant cultural events in the region, the parade celebrates not only Irish history but the hard work and contributions of generations that helped establish the Irish-American community. Attendees will have the opportunity to come together in a spirited celebration of Irish pride and unity.

Honoring Community Leaders

Each year, the parade honors individuals whose contributions to the community reflect the values of the United Irish Association. For the 2025 parade, three distinguished individuals will be recognized as Grand Marshal and Deputy Grand Marshals.

Grand Marshal: Mark Wiggins

Mark Wiggins, owner of Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny, has been a fixture in the community for decades. Born and raised in Kearny, Mark’s involvement in public service began early, inspired by his family’s long-standing commitment to helping others. He is a graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School and St. Peter’s College.

Since taking over Armitage & Wiggins in 1996, Mark has been known for his compassion in helping families during difficult times. Beyond his professional life, Mark’s dedication to the community is evident in his volunteer work. He is a founding member of the Friends of the Kearny Public Library and has served on various boards, including the Kearny Civil Rights Committee and the Kearny Board of Health. A past leader in the Optimist Club, Chamber of Commerce, and his church community, Mark has been recognized by the Archdiocese of Newark for his service to the community.

Deputy Grand Marshal: Donna Bocchino

Donna Bocchino has been a tireless advocate for both Kearny and North Arlington, contributing to her communities through years of dedicated service. After relocating to Kearny in 1995, she became involved in local youth sports, volunteering with the Kearny Generals, the wrestling team, and the Kardinals Booster Clubs. In 2003, she was honored as Kearny Kardinal of the Year.

In 2019, Donna was elected to the North Arlington council, where she now serves as a liaison to multiple boards and spearheads initiatives like the Military Veterans Banner Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in organizing community events such as "Crafting with the Council" and the "Pumpkin Patch and Parade." Donna also works as a plan review administrator for the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority and is a proud grandmother.

Deputy Grand Marshal: Michael Mara

Michael Mara, a lifelong soccer enthusiast, has made an impact in the Kearny community, particularly through his work with local youth soccer programs. A graduate of St. Peter’s Prep and Fordham University, Michael developed a strong connection to Irish culture during a semester abroad in Dublin.

As executive director of Kearny Thistle Soccer, Michael expanded the program to 32 teams and also coached the Kearny High School Boys freshman team. Passionate about both his community and the sport, Michael opened Soccer Post Kearny, a specialty retail store, after transitioning from a career in finance. He and his wife, Kristen, are proud parents to two sons, both avid soccer players.

A Community Celebration

While the final marching list for the parade has yet to be released, the event will feature a variety of local organizations that have become a staple of the parade in years past. Participants will include groups such as:

• St. Columcille United Gaelic
• San Xoan Bagpipe Band from Galicia, Spain
• East Newark Volunteer Firefighters
• Harrison Fire Department
• Girl Scouts Unit 14
• Kearny Boy Scouts 305
• Kearny Belleville Elks Lodge
• What Co. (West Hudson Arts & Theatre Company)
• Kearny Rotary
• Fighting Irishman of the American Revolution
• Lupus Awareness
• North Arlington Mayor David Pronti & Council
• Kearny ACP Portuguese Club
• Peruvian Civic Association of New Jersey
• VFW Wilson Gugelman Post 1302
• The Cycling Murrays
• Miss New Jersey
• Kardinals Ice Hockey
• Kearny Crew Teams
• Garden State Roller Derby
• The Copestone-Ophir Lodge 108
• Kearny High School Band
• Harrison High School Band

With such a diverse and vibrant roster of participants, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises to be an unforgettable experience for the entire community. Please note that the above is NOT the official list of groups but a list of organizations that marched in prior United Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parades. If we missed your group, let us know through the Submit Article feature.  We will update the article up until parade day.

Stay Updated

To keep the public informed, the United Irish Association will be providing updates about the parade through their official Facebook page. The community is encouraged to check regularly for more information as the event date draws nearer.

For those looking for more details or to get involved, be sure to follow along and join in the fun as we celebrate Irish-American culture in West Hudson on our Community Page.  Put your favorite photos from the 2025 St. Patrick’s Parade or prior parades on the Community Page!

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