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Preparations are underway for the inaugural McLean Avenue St. Patrick’s Day parade which will take place on Saturday, March 24 in Yonkers.
“It’s getting bigger by the day,” said parade chairperson Deirdre O’Mara, who is originally from Dublin.
“The idea has been around for a long time,” O’Mara, who runs an Irish dance school on Devoe Avenue, told the Irish Voice.
“We are hearing from a lot of people who grew up here that are going to come back for the parade. We want this to be the first of many.”
The Police Emerald Society of Westchester band will lead the parade, with former city Judge Arthur Doran, Jr. appointed as the grand marshal.
“We have 11 pipes and drum bands and at least 45 other groups marching,” said O’Mara.
Organizers decided to hold the parade the week following St. Patrick’s Day so it doesn’t conflict with other events.
“It’s not a bad thing to extend Paddy’s for another week,” O’Mara pointed out.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Bronx River Road and will follow a westerly route up McLean Avenue, ending at Coyne Park.
The event has been spearheaded by the McLean Avenue Merchants Association, a recently formed committee.
“They are all business owners and great at making things happen,” said O’Mara.
The event requires a $25,000 police detail. A fundraising dinner dance will take place on March 10 at Rory Dolan’s. at 890 McLean Avenue.
There will also be a fundraising breakfast the morning of the parade at St. Barnabas cafeteria. In addition, organizers will be selling $20 raffle tickets to help cover the costs.
“It will be great to see the kids marching through their own community,” said O’Mara.
“We want the community, businesses and everyone to benefit.”
McLean Avenue in Yonkers is one of the most Irish American streets in the country, dotted with several Irish shops and restaurants. It has been a magnet for new arrivals from Ireland for decades.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.MacGregor | Mar 04, 2012, 03:25 AM EST
“We have 11 pipes and drum bands" Why do Irish-Americans continue to promote Scottish culture as being Irish? Are you guys that out of touch with your own unique culture? And please, do not embarrass yourself by claiming that Highland culture is originally Irish, or that the Scottish people came from Ireland - you couldn't be more wrong.
Seanmor | Mar 02, 2012, 08:22 PM EST
In the ealy 80s I knew of one Yorkers Catholic school that was always OPEN on St. Patrick's Day and all its pupils were expected/requitred to attend. Aboud mid-Feb in the mid-80s, members of this parish received from the pastor a request for their contribution to the Bishop's ssessment. In response to the request a friend of mine received, I wrote his Reverence a letter for this faithful parishioner informing him that the amound of her donation would depend on whether the parish school would be opened or closed on St. Patrick's Day. The pastor's reply was that the school would be CLOSED on that day. If we meek, humble, subservient Irish had the courage to stand up to the R.C. clergy, we would benefit enormously from it.
Spartans22 | Mar 02, 2012, 04:03 PM EST
Molly, Did you not know about the Staten Island,NY St. Patrick's Parade next Sunday, March 4. It's the 2nd largest St. Patrick's Parade in the USA. Kicks off at 12:30 at Hart Blvd and Forest Avenue, preceeded by 9:30 a.m. Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church and breakfast in the school. Tom McSorely is Grand Marshal.
kilgara | Mar 02, 2012, 11:28 AM EST
You neglected to mention the original Yonkers parade which can be traced back to the mid nineteenth century.The new parade is a great idea, but don't toss out the tradition. March 4 1:30 South Broadway and Radford St. Enjoy!
Murph46 | Mar 02, 2012, 11:15 AM EST
Thank you for growing your parade when others San Antonio,Hoboken etc. are being cancelled.Keep up the good work,and UP THE IRISH!