7 Things to Know About the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade

Saturday is the 18th Annual Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Day Parade. Here are a few things you should know about the parade:

1. The parade kicks off at 12 p.m. sharp on Saturday. The route starts at Sunrise and North Forest Avenue, north on North Forest Avenue, west on Maple Avenue, north on Lee Avenue, west on Grand Avenue, south on North Park Avenue, west on College Place, west on Quealy Place, south on North Village Avenue, west on Washington Street, end at Municipal Parking Field 2.

2. At 9 a.m., a commemorative mass is held at St. Agnes Cathedral.

3. The Grand Marshal of this year's parade is long time Rockville Centre resident Sean O'Rourke. O'Rourke came to America with his parents in 1971 at age 19 and was the youngest Ancient Order of the Hibernians president in the country. Read more about his accomplishments here.

4. The parade has supported dozens of charities over the years. This year's trio of charities includes New Ground, an organization assisting homeless veterans and families on Long Island, The Angelman Syndrome Foundation, which supports finding a cure and spreading awareness for the syndrome, and The Nassau County AOH Feis Committee, an Irish festival hosted by the Hibernians each year.

5. You can be a permanent part of Rockville Centre's Irish history by purchasing a Shamrock Step. These 1,419 inscribed bricks follow a .72-mile stretch of Maple Avenue and can be purchased for $2. Money raised goes toward charities supported by the parade and underwriting the parade's cost. Read more here.

6. An awards night is set for April 22 at Kasey's Kitchen and Cocktails.

7. The official mission of the RVC St. Patrick's Day Parade is "Promoting Irish heritage and culture, family and patriotic values; promoting and financially supporting three charities (National, Irish, and Rockville Centre); and contributing to the good and welfare of the residents and businesses of Rockville Centre."

Tell us about your favorite part of parade day in RVC in the comments.

Are you going to the parade? Don't forget to upload your pictures to the Snapshots - Rockville Centre album here.

Don't know how? Sign into Patch (click "Join" if you don't have an account), head to the Snapshots - Rockville Centre blog, click in the box that says "Write a new post," upload a photo and write a little something about it. Click "Post Now" to share.