A St. Patrick’s bonus: The Young Wolfe Tones and Irish dance after the Morristown parade

Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones
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Morristown is preparing for an emerald party at noon on Saturday, when Grand Marshal Mary Waller finally gets to lead the Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade after two years of pandemic postponements.

And the festivities won’t stop after the last bagpiper marches down South Street on March 12, 2022.

Morris County St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal Mary Waller, rehearsing in Morris Plains, April 24, 2021. Photo by Bill Lescohier.

A children’s show featuring local youth and adult dancers and musicians will perform at 2:30 pm in the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Admission is $5.

Then, at 5 pm, Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones take the MPAC stage.

A founding member of the Wolfe Tones, Warfield is featured on all the band’s albums from the 1965 debut The Foggy Dew to 1989’s 25th Anniversary. The songwriter/mandolin player is determined to extend this musical tradition to future generations as leader of the Young Wolfe Tones.

Tickets are $45-$65.

“We are looking to give people a reason to stay in town and continue celebrating their Irish heritage,” said Bill Duggan, leader of George Washington Council 359 of the Knights of Columbus, organizers of these concerts.

Established in 1898, the George Washington Council 359 is a group of over 400 Catholic men.

“Our goals are to raise charitable giving funds for local needs, teach our children about their Irish heritage and support our local businesses that continue to struggle during COVID, Duggan said in a statement.

Parade organizers anticipate 70,000 spectators and 5,000 marchers in Morristown.

Presented by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Morris County and the Irish American Association of North West Jersey, the annual event has raised more than $350,000 for charity since its inception in Wharton in 1979, notes the parade website.

Pam Johnson, who served for years at the parade announcer, is delighted by this weekend’s additions.

pam johnson mary keown
Sisters Pam Johnson and Mary Keown, celebrating their 10th year as the voices of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2011. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

“I’m glad to hear that after the parade there is an event where I can bring my grandchildren to enjoy our heritage, get warm, get something to eat and use the bathrooms,” Johnson said in a statement.

At the 2:30 pm show, children can question the performers about step-dancing outfits, shoes, kilts, bagpipes, and other instruments.

And to keep Morristown sham-rocking all weekend, MPAC presents The National Dance Company of Ireland: Rhythm of the Dance, on Sunday, March 13, at 3 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are $29-$59. The show, like almost everything else, was postponed last year.

Some things are worth waiting for, right?

The National Dance Company of Ireland

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