The 26th annual parade drew dozens of people, but those who attended said the freezing temperatures likely kept others away.
SOMERVILLE -- Under many layers, dozens of children, parents and families lined Main Street on Sunday in the frigid temperatures for the annual St. Patrick's Parade in Somerville.
The 26th annual parade drew dozens of people and was one of a number that were held throughout the state over the weekend despite the cold weather. Still, those who attended said the freezing temperatures likely kept people away.
Denise Sweet, 45 of Bridgewater, has been to the parade many times and said this year's crowd size wasn't anywhere near the usual.
"This is almost nobody," Sweet said, looking around as she packed up to leave before the parade ended because of the weather. "It's just too cold."
The weather was different, too. Last year, she said her son, Brad, wore shorts.
The crowd sneaked in ways to incorporate green into their outfits despite their necessary bundling, including green socks, sunglasses and leprechaun-sized top hats.
John F. McCullagh, originally from Dublin, was this year's grand marshal. He served nine years in the Irish Army Reserve Force before relocating to the United States. He is now a lector and usher at the parish of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Skillman.
The parade-goers held coffee to keep warm, munched on pretzels and moved around on the sidewalk as the parade passed. Temperatures hovered around 30 degrees as the parade marched on.
The bone-jarring chill likely is ushering in a nor'easter that could dump more than 18 inches of snow and hit parts of the state with potential blizzard conditions on Tuesday.
"It's not usually this cold and with the weather coming, people probably stayed in," said Andrea Watson, of North Brunswick who came with her 6-year-old daughter, Jillian.
Jillian, ahead of the parade, said she was most looking forward to seeing the dogs and dancers. She played with her light-up shamrock and shouted another big reason why she said she was excited to be there.
"We're Irish!" she said.
Sara Jerde may be reached at sjerde@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SaraJerde.