Issue #49, March 16, 2007

WESTHAMPTON BEACH & MONTAUK CELEBRATE THE IRISH

By Victoria L. Cooper

This past Saturday marked the 40th Annual Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade. At high noon, droves of men and women dressed in their finest greens lined Mill Road and Main Street in Westhampton to watch the Parade. The 2007 Grand Marshal was Robert T. Strebel, former Mayor of Westhampton Beach, who was selected based on his prominent and honorable involvement with the Village of Westhampton Beach.

The theme of the Parade was “CLEAN and GREEN,” a way of ecologically celebrating the Irish heritage and, of course, anything green. The weather was a sunny and pleasant fifty degrees and the crowd was lively with street vendors selling pretzels, souvenirs and some fine Irish lagers. The Parade catered to all the eager children by having face painting and an entire Carnival with booths set up on the Green across from St. Michael’s Church. Kids played on the slides in between getting their cheeks painted with shamrocks and Irish flags.

Those marching in the parade included Ali Candela, Miss Teen USA, alongside four local fire departments, the Westhampton Beach Lady’s Auxiliary group and countless bagpipers and marching bands.

Many creative and clever floats were seen and as usual, there was a contest open to anyone who could make the best float. Coming in first place was the Raynor Country Day School, which constructed an ecologically minded Earth-like float. Most of the firemen and spectators had dyed their hair and beards green and the Parade was an overall “CLEAN and GREEN” success.

If you feel like you haven’t paid tribute enough to Saint Patrick, you still have a chance left on the East End. When it comes to St. Patrick’s Day Parades, no town on Long Island celebrates like Montauk. The 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sponsored by the Montauk Friends of Erin, will take place Sunday, March 25, at 1 p.m. The Parade will start down by the Montauk Fire Department, accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes and drums, while men and women escort the floats and continue through town to the end of the parade route the IGA supermarket. Patrick Keller is the 2007 Grand Marshall and his father, Gil Keller, who was also a Grand Marshall, was one of the Original 12 founding members of the Montauk Friends of Erin who helped start the Parade in 1962.

The Montauk Friends of Erin was founded in 1961 as a civic and social association. The main goal of the organization is to help raise money to support the Parade, which in many ways is a symbol of renewal for the residents of Montauk. In 1962, when the Original 12 started the Parade, there were only 50 people marching and about 100 in the crowd. Today there are an estimated 40,000 spectators, with over 200 or more marching in the Parade. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Montauk represents the end of a long winter and the beginning of a new spring season for tourists, residents and business owners alike.

Starting at 11 a.m. on the day of the parade there will be a soup sale, along with many mugs and souvenirs available on the Montauk Green.

The Parade is still the main goal of the Friends and they have expanded their fund raising to meet the ever-increasing cost of sponsoring such an exciting event. Throughout the year they sponsor scholarships for outstanding Montauk students along with putting on Little League activities for boys and girls and the annual Holiday tree lighting. It’s important to remember that the parade is not just a day to indulge in fine spirits, but rather a day to celebrate Irish heritage and what it means to the people of Montauk. Ultimately the parade could not be as successful without the support of the Town of East Hampton, Town Police, Montauk Fire Department, Chamber of Commerce and the entire business community along with all the volunteers who help the cause as well.

This Saturday, March 17, the Montauk Friends of Erin will be marching in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the largest Parade in the world. So whether you are Irish or you just love the non-stop events that pay homage to the Saint Patrick and Irish heritage, bring your shamrocks, your finest green clothing and high sprits to Montauk next weekend, because this is an event you certainly won’t want to miss.r.