Despite Rain, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Marches On

Luck was truly with the Irish on Sunday.

Even the rain couldn't stop the 61st Annual Mineola-Garden City St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday afternoon as an unrelenting morning rainstorm took a short break allowing marchers to begin their hour-long trek through the local streets.

Despite the parade’s 1 p.m. post time, festivities started with a 10:30 a.m. mass at the in Mineola. The center also hosted the after party at 2:30 p.m. and included refreshments and some food. 

The parade route carried participants from the corner of Ninth Street and Franklin Avenue in Garden City, continuing down Franklin before hanging a right to its end on Old Country Road before a reviewing stand in front of the county office building.

In spite of a sky made dank and grey by rain, the village streets were painted green as many walkers and viewers sported something green, including clothes, hats and jewelry in honor of the (pre) Irish holiday. Vendors also walked carts down the sidewalks along the route selling Irish themed toys and trinkets.

The crowd was sparse this year, possibly due to the weather, but their spirit was grand as children and adults alike waved and cheered in support of their friends and family members walking in the parade through the intermittent showers.

An assembly of bagpipe performers and clubs including the Irish American Society led the procession, carrying multiple banners and Irish flags. Other prominent community groups, such as the followed with a full show of force from the police and fire departments of , , Williston Park, and others bringing up the rear. 

Children from local schools also marched and drummed their way down the route while long lines of fire engines, vintage police cruisers, and mounted unit officers waved to the crowd closing out the parade.