Hackettstown honors Shawn Burke at Grand Marshal Reception ahead of Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Community members, family members and local officials gathered Thursday evening at David’s Country Inn for the 17th annual Grand Marshal Reception honoring Shawn Burke, who has been named the 2026 grand marshal of the Hackettstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The event, sponsored by the Hackettstown Business Improvement District (BID), recognized Burke ahead of the parade scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
During the reception, Burke was formally presented as grand marshal and received the ceremonial sash. The evening program also included a procession recognizing past parade grand marshals and a performance by the Slattery School of Irish Dance.
Several local officials attended and offered remarks honoring Burke’s service to the community. Those present included Hackettstown Mayor Jerry DiMaio, Warren County Commissioners Lori Ciesla, James Kern and Jason Sarnoski, Assemblyman John DiMaio, Assemblyman Erik Peterson, and State Sen. Doug Steinhardt.
Burke, a longtime Hackettstown resident, has deep family roots tied to the town and its Irish heritage. He attended St. Mary’s Parochial School and later graduated from Hackettstown High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and earned varsity letters in football, wrestling and track. He also served as co-captain of the school’s 1981 state championship football team.
After high school, Burke attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, graduating in 1986 with a degree in marine transportation and earning a commission as an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
He has spent about 40 years working in the maritime industry and currently serves as North Atlantic operations manager for NYK Line in Secaucus.
Burke has also been active in the community, volunteering as a Little League umpire and serving as a coach for both the Hackettstown Wrestling Club and Hackettstown Recreation Baseball. He previously served 15 years on the Hackettstown Planning/Land Use Board and is currently in his 15th year as a member of the Hackettstown Board of Education.
In addition, Burke has spent 16 years as a color commentator for Hackettstown Tiger football broadcasts on WRNJ radio.
Burke lives in Hackettstown with his wife of 29 years, Alice, and their five children.
The Hackettstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place Sunday at 3:30 p.m., beginning at the corner of Grand Avenue and Washington Street. The annual event typically draws large crowds and features marching bands, Irish dancers, community organizations and local groups celebrating Irish heritage.
