Like 83 years prior, the Irish and their supporters marched down a Newark street Friday afternoon in green display of heritage.

There were plenty of bagpipes, drums and high school marching bands parading along Mulberry Street, with some additional Irish step dancing, courtesy of the Heritage Irish Dance Company. It was the 84th annual St. Patrick’s Parade, on March 15, 2019. And although Newark’s Irish community has spread out to the suburbs its roots are still strong from when the Ironbound was the heart of its community.

Newark’s parade is the oldest in the state and for John Rieger, the Irishman of the Year of the Ironbound Irish American Association, it is a special time for their community to come together and celebrate their heritage.

“I have lived all of my 55 years of my life here in Newark and this is where we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!”

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Leanne Gregory, 14, soars through the air while performing in front of the grandstand prior tot he start of the parade. She is a member of the Heritage Irish Dance Company.

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2019 Grand Marshall Sean O'Neill waves while walking the parade route.

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Members of the Law Enforcement and Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe & Drums play while marching past the Prudential Center.

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Aisling Rossiter, 3, of Scotch Plains, waves as she dances to the music of the passing bands. She was there with her mother Siobhan.

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Members of the Shabazz Marching Band perform while marching down the street.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Taniya Ward, right, performs a back bend while warming up with fellow dancers of the Orange High School band.

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Members of the New Jersey State Police Pipe & Drums march down the street as they play during the parade.

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Members of the Orange Marching Band march.

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Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, center, marches with other elected officials of Newark and Essex County during the parade.

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Newark Fire Department's Ladder 5 passes by along the parade route.

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Members of West Side High School's marching band perform and dance.

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Drum Majors from the various Pipe & Drum bands stand and salute as Amazing Grace is played prior tot he start of the parade.

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The Newark Police Motorcycle Squad leads the parade at it start past the Prudential Center.

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Members of the Morris County Police Pipe & Drums perform as they march down the street.

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Members of the Eastside High School Marching Band.

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Flag members of the Saddle Brook Marching Band perform.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Assemblyman Thomas Giblin marches during the parade.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Flag members of the Shabazz Marching Band perform while marching down the street.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Members of the NJ Transit Police Honor Guard march down the street during the parade.

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Members of the Jersey City Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe & Drums.

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Members of the Eastside High School Marching Band.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Members of the New Jersey State Police Pipe & Drums march down the street as they play during the parade.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Anthony Conley, who's with the Pleasantville Marching Band wears shamrocks in his hair.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Members of the Central High School Marching Band play while marching down the street.

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Members of the New Jersey State Police Pipe & Drums march down the street as they play during the parade.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Members of the Newark Police Department's Mounted Division.

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Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Members of the Rory O'Moore School of Pipes and Drums warm up prior to the parade.