MORRISTOWN - Steve Fulop seemed to be having a fine time, pleasantly chatting with a small group of Morris County Republicans.

No, this wasn't the preamble to an across the aisle gubernatorial endorsement.

Parades do that to people.

The St. Patrick's Day Parade in this town is, in Fulop's words - "the best in the state."

And for the second year in a row, the gubernatorial candidate and Jersey City mayor made the journey Saturday to Morris County to march in it.

Fulop was in the parade's shape up area where he encountered a few dozen local pols from both parties. Here, they greeted each other and mingled.

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn from LD-25 seemed the most prepared. She would ride in a car with her name on the side. Others would have to walk.

As usual, former Assemblyman Michael P. Carroll was on hand, wearing the garb of a Civil War reenactor complete with weapon.

A few years ago, he waved it in the face of Phil Murphy, but the governor wasn't at today's parade.

The annual parade draws thousands and today was no exception, notwithstanding the chilly weather.

Thus, it seemed a bit surprising that Fulop was the only gubernatorial candidate from either party marching.

On the other hand, we are still in the stage where candidates are trying to appeal to the politically active and connected, as opposed to the public at large.

Parade rules also discourage overt political expression.

Fulop marched in a group of public officials from both parties. He was accompanied by Tim Dougherty, the town's mayor, who endorsed Fulop very early on.

The mayor said the parade is great for Morristown and the county. And as the county seat with a vibrant downtown, it's a very logical location.

Bars are plentiful here and many overflowed with revelers.

Dougherty said the last few years have seen a decrease in the number of drinking-related incidents on parade day. The mayor also said police are "tolerant" when it comes to allowing young people to have a good time.

The old saying is that "everyone's Irish" on St. Patrick's Day, but perhaps not everyone.

Tayfun Selen, the county commission director, said he has no Irish blood in him. Selen is a native of Turkey.

But then there was Robert Conley, the mayor of Madison.

He said he's one of 11 children and he was smack in the middle - five older and five younger. That led Conley to observe:

"It doesn't get more Irish than that."