On Saturday, March 2nd, the Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Committee hosted their Third Annual Grand Marshal “Green Tie” Gala fundraiser to honor their 2024 Parade Grand Marshal Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey. The lively event, held at The Piermont in Babylon, was attended by elected officials and dignitaries, parade sponsors, and local supporters.
The Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade, to be held this year on March 23rd, was conceived by Parade Committee Co-Presidents David Crowe, Proprietor of Lindenhurst’s Belfast Gastropub, and RJ Renna, Lindenhurst Village Deputy Mayor. Joining them on the Committee are Presiding Officer McCaffrey, and Committee Secretary Katie Schrader.
The Grand Marshal’s Gala began with an escort for Presiding Officer McCaffrey into the event by the Northport Pipe & Drum Band and a Color Guard from Our Lady of Fatima Assembly #716, the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus for OLPH Council #794. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Grand Knight Patrick Corcoran, and a prayer was offered from Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C.C. Monsignor Joseph DeGrocco. The U.S. National Anthem was performed by Knight George Formes, and the crowd was then treated to a performance of traditional Irish step dancing by the Mise Eire Irish dancers.
Following, Presiding Officer McCaffrey, who began his career in government as a Lindenhurst Village Trustee, was honored and recognized for his thirty-four years of public service. U.S. Congressman Andrew Garbarino & U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota spoke on behalf of the more than a dozen elected officials present, including NYS Assemblyman Michael Durso, Suffolk County Legislator Steven Flotteron, Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Deputy Supervisor Anthony Martinez & Councilmen DuWayne Gregory, Anthony Manetta & Terence McSweeney, and Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata & Trustees Douglas Madlon, Patrick Pichichero & Maryann Weckerle, who all presented Presiding Officer McCaffrey with proclamations of honor and gratitude.
The Parade Committee then presented Presiding Officer McCaffrey with his official Grand Marshal honors – a traditional Irish Blackthorn walking stick, a Thomand Irish Crystal vase, and his official Grand Marshal sash. The Committee also presented Legislator McCaffrey’s lovely wife, Julie, with her own “Grand Marshalette” sash to wear on Parade Day.
Thanks to the support of sponsors, such as Belfast Gastropub, Danaher Wealth Management, Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce, OLPH Knights of Columbus Council #794, National Grid, East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Lindenhurst Business Improvement District, Pino Wine Bar & Bistro, and Suffolk AME, among many others, the Third Annual Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade will see hundreds of Irish pipers, drummers, dancers, local firefighters, scouting troops, fraternal groups, community organizations, businesses, and elected officials march down Wellwood Avenue, through the beautiful, historic Lindenhurst Downtown Business District.
https://villageoflindenhurstny.gov/
Make sure your calendars are marked for March 23rd! The parade will have a 12:00 PM start. All parade information can be found at www.lindenhurststpatricksparade.org
