The Blizzard of ’26 has forced organizers to postpone the Belmar–Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade just days before its planned Sunday start.
Parade organizer Chip Cavanagh told News 12 the conditions left no safe way to host an event that brings 50,000 to 75,000 people to town. “It’s snowed on parade day before, but never have we had a blizzard like this so close to the parade,” Cavanagh said.
With Main Street narrowed by snowbanks and side‑street parking nearly nonexistent, officials say crowd safety was the deciding factor.
Some parade‑week events will still take place, and local shops are urging visitors to support small businesses.
The committee is working with Belmar and Lake Como on a new date later in March or early April.