Long Island's Oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade is 79 Years Old

Cynthia Marie Friday, March 15, 2013

Don't you just love traditions and parades? When they are both combined together, they make for an incredible moment that can be enjoyed by family and friends. St. Patrick's Day is a day of tradition, but it is also a day of parades. Throughout the country there will be several St. Patrick's Day events and parades, but Long Island has their own piece of history that continues with a rather big milestone.

The 79th Annual Huntington St. Patrick's Day parade, Long Island's oldest and largest, returns to Main Street Sunday at 2 p.m. The parade kicks off just north of the Huntington Train Station along New York Avenue before turning west onto Main Street ending at St. Patrick's Church. 

This year's grand marshall is Andrew Lawrence. Lawrence is a local attorney and lifelong resident of Huntington. He has been a long time supporter of numerous social and charitable events helping to make Huntington a better community

The Huntington St. Patrick's Day parade got its start during the Great Depression. Seventy nine years later, thanks to the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians, residents continue to come together to celebrate the unofficial start of spring on the second Sunday of March.

The parade is a wonderful time and I always enjoy both meeting new people and seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time. It is a draw for many around Long Island and serves as a great way to kick off the holiday! This parade is the oldest and largest on Long Island. Each year, up to 50,000 current and former residents jam pack Huntington Village for this wonderful family and community event. More important than ever, the parade is also a tremendous catalyst to the local Huntington economy, with spectators packing the local restaurants, shops, and pubs. With the current rough economic times, "buying local" not only feels good; it helps all of us.

Of course, the big draw is the bagpipes and the 25 marching bands that liven up the event and get people excited throughout the course of the parade.

cynthiam@longislandyellowpages.com

Appears In: Local Events

 

 

• Business News
• Education
• Entertainment
• Jobs & Careers
• Local Events
• Local Steals, Deals & More
• Press Releases
• Restaurants & Food
• Sports & Recreation

Columnists John M.   Show all Columnists