This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Village Hosts 16th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Groups from all over Long Island celebrated the Irish on Saturday.

According to the calendar, St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17. But don’t tell that to the droves of residents who lined the streets of Rockville Centre on Saturday, cheering along the village’s 16th annual parade.

One hundred and eighteen groups marched in this year’s edition, including representatives from local restaurants, businesses, cub scout troops and Irish step dance teams. 

The parade featured 22 pipe and drum units, the Hempstead High School, St. Dominic’s and St. Raymond’s Marching Bands, vintage Cadillacs and a horse-drawn carriage.   

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sen. Chuck Schumer, Assemblyman Brian Curran and Mayor Fran Murray (a former grand marshal) also marched. 

For those watching, the parade represented a celebration of the Irish, Rockville Centre and its surrounding areas. But for the four St. Patrick’s Day Parade officers and 13 board members, the parade represented nearly a year of hard work and preparation. 

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I think it went great,” Vice President Kathleen Schwarting said. “(The parade) brings the community together. You see all the girl scouts, boy scouts and the kids from Little League. You see young and old. Every age group is out there, no matter if they’re Irish or not.”

The parade isn’t just a day of celebration and community revelry, it’s a charitable endeavor as well. 

Each year, proceeds from the parade are donated to three charities. This year, the board chose to support The Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS), Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD), and the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. 

Groups from each charity marched in the parade, including a large contingent of dogs from ECAD.  

ECAD is a national non-profit organization that has enabled more than 150 people with disabilities to “gain greater independence and mobility through the use of specialty trained dogs that can respond to over 80 commands”. ACDS serves more than 700 individuals afflicted with Down Syndrome. The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island provides a “home-away-from-home” to approximately 1,000 families with seriously ill children each year, according to an official parade press release.    

The parade’s charitable history is a rich one. Since 1997, $676,000 has been raised for 45 different charities. That number will increase significantly when checks are presented to this year’s group at a ceremony on April 19, according to organizers.   

History was made during the march. Rockville Centre businesswoman acted as the first female Grand Marshal in the history of the event. Alcock’s Irish gift shop, , recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. 

“It was really fantastic,” Alcock said of the experience. “Words fail to describe the feeling. It’s a great day for the Irish and a great day for Rockville Centre."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?