MAMARONECK, N.Y. A group of locally-based Irish-American businesses and residents decided Mamaroneck should have a St. Patrick's Day Parade, and this year it's a reality.
Mamaroneck will be home to the first annual Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade March 18, and the grand marshal will be Jim Killoran, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester.
"It's a great honor to be the first grand marshal of the Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade here in Mamaroneck," said Killoran, who has worked extensively to better the lives of those area residents in need. "My work with Habitat for Humanity has already acquainted me with the strong spirit of volunteerism and community in this area. As an Irish American, I'm particularly pleased to see the latest manifestation of this community spirit come in the form of a celebration of Irish heritage."
Killoran traces his roots back to the county of Waterford, Ireland. Mike Hynes, owner of Molly Spillane's Pub and member of the Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, is a native of Galway, Ireland.
Hynes helped found Mamaroneck Shares in 2010, a charitable series of block parties on Mamaroneck Avenue that has grown in leaps and bounds in a short time. Now, he and other local businesses and residents hope to make this inaugural parade a lasting staple of the community, too.
The parade, which will begin on Nostrand Avenue near Mamaroneck Avenue at noon and end at Harbor Island, will feature musicians, dancers, local schools, police, firefighters, pipes and drum bands. Before the parade, a mass will be held at St. Vito's Church at 9:30 a.m.
The following local organizations are scheduled to march:
Police Emerald Society of Westchester Pipes & Drums Westchester and District Pipe Band ORourke Academy of Irish Dance Hendry School of Irish Dance Galwaymens Association Byram Hill High School Mamaroneck High School baseball team Emerald Society Department of Sanitation Pipes and Drums Habitat for Humanity high school volunteers Mamaroneck Elks Lodge 1457 Eastchester Irish American Social Club Brassmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Port Chester Fire Department Lynn Academy of Irish Dance Westchester Firefighter Emerald Society Pipes and Drums NYU Pipes and Drums Westchester and District Pipe Band Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department Mamaroneck Youth Hockey Association Harrison Fire Department Tipperary N&B Association Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norm Rosenblum NYU Pipes and Drums Mamaroneck Avenue School Salesian High School marching band
Sponsors of the parade include The Garden City Group, Inc., Eastern Design Tile and Marble, Inc., The Spillane Group (Molly Spillanes), Dunkin Donuts, Collins Brothers Moving Corp., and Murphy Brothers Contracting.
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