Rumson's St. Paddy's Day Tree Lighting

To kick off the St. Patrick's Day celebration in Rumson and the borough's first parade, there's going to be a St. Paddy's Day tree lighting. Yes, tree lighting.

With the lighting, on March 1, from 7 to 8:30, there’ll be just nine more days to go until the parade, which will feature Tim McLoone as grand marshall. At the tree lighting, McLoone and his family will flip the switch on the laser light show that will completely illuminate a beautiful evergreen in Rumson’s Victory Park with thousands of tiny green laser lights.

Chris Risden, president of Christmas Décor by Y.E.S. Contractors in Freehold NJ, is producing the laser light show, which will use two holographic lasers to light the tree. 

Local residents and businesses are also encouraged to “Light the Town Green” by putting up green lights all around Rumson, says Parade Board member Peter Hogan.

“What a fantastic way to kick-off our countdown to the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said parade Board President Mike Larkin. “We hope families from throughout the area will come out for the tree lighting, a traditional Irish seanchaí plus free hot chocolate from Rumson Market, hot soup from The Soup Man, cookies from Cups and Cakes, hot chocolate from Rumson Market, green bagels from Atlantic Bagel, and great coffee by Coffee Corral. The crowd will also be treated to live Irish music by TRINITY and David McCarthy. It will be a fun night for Leprechauns of all ages!”

Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl will read the official Parade Proclamation, and an Irish flag will be raised to mark the countdown to the Sunday, March 10 parade. The tree will remain illuminated by laser lights every night through March 18.

Discover the True Story of St. Patrick

Professor Michael O'Maillie, Irish Heritage Director for Claddagh na nGael, which promotes traditional music and Irish culture on the Jersey Shore, will share the true story of “St.Patrick, His Life and Times.” Professor O'Maillie is a seanchaí, a true Irish storyteller and historian, so this brief presentation is sure to be entertaining and informative.  

For more information on the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade, visit

www.rumsonstpatricksdayparade.org.