Marchers Brave the Cold for Festive St. Patrick's Day Parade in Sea Isle

By Donald Wittkowski It was a day for the wearing of the green. It was also a day for the wearing of the parkas, the wool caps, the scarves, the gloves and the long underwear. By the time the St. Patrick’s Day parade stepped off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Sea Isle City, the temperature was down to a nippy 34 degrees. Blustery winds made it feel even chillier. Even the leprechaun who headed the colorful and lively procession was bundled up in extra layers of green clothing. When asked whether he ever remembered it being so cold for the parade, local legend Pop Welsh, who played the leprechaun, emphatically answered, “No, no, no!” But the 81-year-old Welsh and the other parade marchers braved the frigid conditions to make their way down Landis Avenue to the delight of the green-clad spectators lining the sidewalks. Bundled up in extra layers of green clothing, 81-year-old Pop Welsh led the parade dressed as a leprechaun. “We have had snow and we have had rain, but it’s never been this cold for the parade. But today everybody is Irish in Sea Isle. A parade brings everybody out,” said Mayor Leonard Desiderio, whose family has sponsored the St. Patrick’s Day parade for 27 years and also hosts the town’s Columbus Day parade. Norma Poole, advancement chair for Boy Scout Troop 76 of Sea Isle, had the Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared,” in mind when she headed out for the parade. She was dressed in a hooded parka, wool gloves, wool socks and a pullover cap. She joked that she also had her “husband’s love” to help keep her warm. “I was prepared. We are prepared,” Poole declared, referring to the Boy Scouts who marched in the parade. Spectators lining the parade route cheered to show their appreciation. Amid a sea of green clothing, hats, wigs and shamrocks, the parade surged down Landis Avenue between 83^rd and 63^rd streets, accompanied by the drums and wailing bagpipes played by the Cape Atlantic Police and Fire Irish Pipe Brigade of Wildwood. Police cars, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles flashed their lights and blared their sirens and horns to crank up the excitement level. Amy Knoebel, a spectator from West Chester, Pa., was joined by her son, Kyle, 11, and daughter, Hope, 9, for the family’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Sea Isle. Knoebel’s boyfriend, Patrick Murphy, brought along his daughters, Katie, 10, and Emma, 4. Knoebel explained that it was important for her family to begin participating in local events, such as the parade, because they are now part of the community. She recently bought a vacation home in Sea Isle. “We had been hearing all about the parade, so we wanted to come out and see it,” she said. Her son, Kyle, however, had other ideas. “I have to go inside because it’s so cold,” he told his mother. Knoebel hugged her son and assured him that he would be all right. A horse-drawn carriage decorated with shamrocks was one of the attractions. Although it was brisk outside, things were toasty inside at Kix McNutley’s, the Sea Isle bar and entertainment complex that served as the epicenter for the post-parade partying. Mayor Desiderio, who owns Kix McNutley’s, led the Cape Atlantic Police and Fire Irish Pipe Brigade out on the dance floor to serenade the standing-room-only crowd with festive music. “This is a blast,” Vanessa Bowling, of Woodbine, said of the party atmosphere while wearing shamrock-style sunglasses illuminated by flashing, green lights. “I like it because it’s Irish. This is the day of the year when everybody is Irish.” Bob Barr, Antwan McClellan, Michael DeVlieger, Tony Wilson and Keith Hartzell joined with Cape May County Freeholder Jeff Pierson, in green scarf, and Sea Isle Mayor Leonard Desiderio, at right.