Borough officials previously had announced the stepped-up police presence as a result of security concerns, but a scan of social media from the event only turned up signs of revelry Sunday afternoon.
BELMAR -- Some of the coldest weather of the year to date wasn't enough to keep enthusiastic crowds from turning out Sunday at the borough's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
The crowd, protected by concrete barricades and bomb-sniffing dogs, had grown several people deep in many places by 2 p.m.
Borough officials previously had announced the stepped-up police presence as a result of security concerns. Social media from the event highlighted signs of revelry Sunday afternoon:
Belmar St Pats parade off to a sunny but chilly start. Next stop Corned beef, McGinty potato salad and the dreaded Brussell sprouts. pic.twitter.com/J5oZDNbyYV
-- Thomas P McGinty (@TopcatBrooklyn) March 5, 2017
Wall HS Band looking and sounding impressive at the Belmar St Patrick's Day Parade. Great job! @WallHSMusic pic.twitter.com/DfKlYsL5lx
-- Cristin M. Krokosz (@CristinMKrokosz) March 5, 2017
NJ Transit officials previously announced the North Coast Line will be running 11 additional trips to provide hourly service to and from Belmar.
Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.