By Robyn Quinn
The 2014 Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade is almost here–and the excitement continues to grow, with the Grand Marshal Reception tonight, March 7, and news that Derek Warfield, one of the original Wolfe Tones, will perform with the Young Wolfe Tones on the morning of the March 15 parade.
Tickets to the reception, honoring Grand Marshal Jeff Rawding, are sold out. But there may be some standing room for the festivities, which start at 6 pm at the Madison Hotel. Admission is $85 and there will be hors d’oeuvres, libations, dancing and music by the Willie Lynch Band.
Patrick Fahy of the Parade Committee has promised perfect weather for the noontime parade–the grandest in all of New Jersey–and how could it not be, with the fabulous Young Wolfe Tones starting the festivities with a 10:30 am performance on the Morristown Green?
‘OLD TRADITION IN A NEW PACKAGE’
The Wolfe Tones were formed in the Bluebell area of Dublin in 1962. The group was made up of neighborhood friends Derek and Brian Warfield, Noel Nagle and Tommy Byrne. Derek left the group after producing 17 albums in 37 years. Besides the songs he produced with the Wolfe Tones, Derek has also produced 70 songs and ballads of his own.
For 40 years Derek had been telling the stories of Ireland through songs, this was something he could not walk away from. In 2006 he gathered together several talented musicians and singers to form “The Young Wolfe Tones.”
Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones present the traditional Irish music with a new and spirited style that is all their own.
When asked about the Young Wolfe Tones, Derek says, “You can’t take any tradition for granted. So we’re presenting an old tradition in a new package.”
The Young Wolfe Tones consist of: Damaris Woods (banjo) from County Meath Ireland, Peadar Hickey (guitar and vocals) from Dublin and Dan Lowery (flute and vocals) from Milwaukee. Come enjoy Derek Warfield and The Young Wolfe Tones, along with the other entertainment at the pre-parade show. Don’t miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime!
DID YOU KNOW…
The Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade, begun in Wharton 36 years ago, is privately funded–no tax dollars underwrite this event–and it’s run by a nonprofit organization that also raises money for local charities?
Last year’s parade donated $30,000 to these groups:
- All Access Playground
- Anne Hennessy scholarship fund
- Assumption Youth Ministry
- Birthrite
- Bob Tracy Park
- Carmelite Nuns
- Cheshire Home
- Daltai na Gaeilige
- Daytop Village
- Department for Persons with Disabilities
- Employment Horizons
- Family Promise of Sussex County
- Hug Wraps
- IAANJ Cultural Fund
- Interfaith Food Pantry
- Joint Free Library—Irish History
- Lake Side School for the Deaf
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Market Street Mission
- Michael Quill Irish Culture Center
- People Help
- Project Children
- Project Graduation
- Restore the Shore
- Samaritan Inn-Franklin, NJ
- Special Olympics New Jersey
- St Mary’s Academy, Hackettstown NJ
- St. Peter’s orphanage
- Valerie Fund
- WFUV – Irish Radio Show
