Chile and Haiti quake families march in Queens, NY St. Patrick's parade

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Chile and Haiti earthquake families are marching today in the annual Queens New York St. Patrick's Day parade.

A contingent of Haitian musicians and groups will be seeking to raise some money to help their country.

“Irish have known hunger, death and famine,” Brendan Fay, organizer of the parade who represents an Irish gay and Lesbian group told the New York Post.

Chile, which was founded by Irish South American Bernardo O'Higgins, will also have representatives following the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that killed at least 700 people there.  The parade’s Chilean contingent will be raising awareness of the need for charitable contributions.

The owner of La Gaviota, a Woodside Chilean restaurant, set up the Chilean delegation.

“He said maybe we could put a Chilean group in the parade,” Fay said. “It was just one of those moments that became a transformative moment for the parade’s identity.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn will also be present.

Kathleen D’Arcy, the parade’s co-chairwoman, said despite the celebrities kids tend to be the stars.

“The best part of the parade is watching the expressions on kids’ faces as they watch the giant puppets and hear the pipers,” she said.
 

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