2026 Grand Marshal
You probably can’t get more Irish than this year’s Grand Marshal of Asbury Park’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, to be held Sunday, March 8.
“It’s amazing to be in the parade and represent my Irish heritage. This is a highlight in my career and I am so excited. This is truly a high honor for my family,” said. Kimberly McFadden Guadagno, the first-ever Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey,
Guadagno said don’t let her married last name fool you- she is Irish through and through and deeply committed to her Irish community.
Born Kimberly Ann McFadden, Guadagno said she takes great pride in her ancestral roots, a connection that remains a consistent thread throughout her professional life. She traces her roots to County Roscommon.
Parade Chairman Garrett Giberson said Guadagno was chosen as Grand Marshal for her service to local communities and the state.
“She has done so much for our community, especially when it comes to feeding people. She has helped feed a lot of people during these tough times. She’s another parade grand marshal who is Irish to the core and we are proud have her in the parade,” he said.
Guadagno was formerly President and CEO of Fulfill, a nonprofit organization that provides food assistance and support services to vulnerable populations in Monmouth and Ocean counties. She is currently President and CEO at Mercy Center, an organization rooted in mercy and service, founded by Roman Catholic women in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. The Mercy Center serves six counties and 24 municipalities in Monmouth County.
Guadagno said she continues to honor her heritage through direct impact on New Jersey’s most vulnerable populations.
Guadagno is a member of Legal 100, a national compilation of the most distinguished legal professionals of Irish descent. Her recognition as a top lawyer of Irish heritage spans over a decade, supported by her career as a federal and state prosecutor and her historic tenure as the first female Sheriff of Monmouth
The Irish-American community’s the “Irish Echo” honored Guadagno in 2013 with the Exceptional Service to Sandy Recovery Award. She is also a member of the Women of Irish Heritage in Monmouth County, an organization dedicated to celebrating Irish culture and charitable service.
Guadagno has been married for 35 years to Judge Michael A. Guadagno (retired) and together they have three adult sons and a daughter-in-law.
The parade begins at 1pm at Ocean Avenue by Convention Hall. It proceeds south on Ocean Avenue and then heads west on Cookman Avenue, ending at Johnny Mac’s House Of Spirits on Main Street.
A Grand Marshal reception will be held on Thursday, March 5, at the Asbury Park Rooftop restaurant, on the boardwalk, from 6 to 9 pm.
2025 Grand Marshal
The 12th annual Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Parade kicks off on Sunday, March 9 at 1 pm and a well-known and much-respected community and environmental activist has been chosen to be this year’s Grand Marshal. Tom Pivinski, head of the city’s Environmental Shade Tree Commission (ESTC) for more than 20 years, is the Grand Marshal.
“We chose Tom Pivinski because of his extensive involvement in the Asbury Park community and his volunteerism. And for the good things he does for our community. He is a good man and has the best interest of our city at heart,” Parade Committee Chairman Garrett Giberson said.
The ESTC has been instrumental in creating and maintaining the city’s 27 gardens, including a food garden, and other landscaping scattered throughout the city. The group planted 79 trees this year and distributed more than a ton of food from its food garden.
When asked to be the Grand Marshal, Pivinski was insistent that the many members and volunteers of the ESTC be recognized as well. The group, which has about 80 volunteers, will be recognized with a special float in the parade.
“Our volunteers are so important. Without them, nothing would get done. They come twice a week seasonally and work on all of our gardens. Hot or cold weather they are always there and without them none of this would be possible,” Pivinski said. He said the city’s Public Works Department also works closely with the ESTC.
“We have an amazing and generous population in Asbury Park and it’s the only way we could survive.”
“But I’m Polish- not Irish,” Pivinski joked. “Everything about St. Patrick’s Day is great and we do what we can to keep the city green and feel glad about doing it.”
Pivinski was a Catholic priest, who assists at Trinity Episcopal church in Asbury Park, Pivinski and his then partner, Malcolm Navias, moved to Asbury Park in 1999. The couple was married in 2013.
Two fundraisers are still planned to help offset costs for the parade. The annual Green Dragon Buffet will be held at Taka’s, 660 Cookman Avenue, on Feb. 2 from 11am to 2 pm. Tickets are $25, which includes a free drink.
On Feb. 16, the annual ShamRock N Roll will be held at the Wonder Bar, Fifth and Ocean avenues, from 2 to 8 pm. Admission is $20.
https://asburyparkstpatricksparade.com For more information or to volunteer for the parade go to www.asburyparkstpatricksparade.com.
Giberson said he hopes people turn out for the parade. “I hope there is good weather and that people come to a good, family-oriented event for the community,” he said.
The parade begins at 1 p.m. at Fourth and Ocean avenues, proceeds south to Cookman Avenue, and then heads west through the downtown to Main Street. Johnny Mac House of Spirits is the presenting sponsor and the official headquarters for the parade.
