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Take your pick! St. Patrick’s Day parades head to the North Shore

by Heidi Sutton - March 6, 2025

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MillerPlaceRockyPoint-St-Patricks-Day-Parade2024-92-3-10-24-PhotoBy-Greg-Catalano-scaled — A scene from last year's Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick's Day Parade. Photo by Greg Catalano/TBR News Media

By Heidi Sutton

Whether or not your ancestors hail from the Emerald Isle, everyone is guaranteed to enjoy a family-friendly (and dog-friendly) St. Patrick’s Day parade. While Kings Park held its parade last week, there are still plenty of celebrations to attend on the North Shore. And don’t forget to wear shamrock green!

Center Moriches

Center Moriches’ 21st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place in Center Moriches on Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. The parade begins on Lake Avenue and ends at Railroad Avenue. This year’s Grand Marshal is Mark Danowski. For more information, visit www.moricheschamber.org.

Farmingdale

Farmingdale presents its 11th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. The parade steps off at Northside Elementary School and proceeds down Main Street to the Village Green. This year’s Grand Marshal is Cheryl Parisi. Call 516-286-7800 for more information.

Huntington

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) invites the community to its 91st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Huntington on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m. Grand Marshal New York State Assemblyman Keith P. Brown will lead the procession down New York Avenue to Main Street before ending at The Church of St. Patrick. Long Island’s oldest and largest, the parade will feature dozens of pipe bands. For more information, visit www.huntingtonhibernian.com.

Miller Place-Rocky Point

The Friends of St. Patrick will host the 73rd annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. sharp. The 2.8-mile parade starts at Harrison Avenue and Route 25A in Miller Place and then finishes at Broadway in Rocky Point. This year’s Co-Grand Marshals will be John and Raymond O’Sullivan. For further information, visit www.thefriendsofstpatrick.com or call 631-473-5100.

Ronkonkoma

The 35th annual Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 23 at 2 p.m. Grand Marshal Dan Moloney will lead the parade from Amvets Post 48, 660 Hawkins Ave. at School Street, south down Hawkins Ave. ending at Thorne Street. Call 631-304-6303 or visit www.ronkonkomaparade.org.

St. James

St. James Chamber of Commerce presents the 41st annual St. James St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15 at 1 p.m. The parade will step off along Lake Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to the viewing stand in front of the gazebo ending just before St James Elementary School, rain or shine. Featuring scouts, dance troupes, pipe bands, school bands, floats, fire trucks and more. The grand marshal will be Robert J. Murphy. Rain date is March 22. 631-584-8510

Kings Park community celebrates 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade

by Rita J. Egan - March 5, 2025

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By Rita J. Egan

Spring-like weather provided a “great day for the Irish” in Kings Park on Saturday, March 1.

A few thousand people lined up along the hamlet’s main thoroughfares to cheer on participants in the 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Grand Marshal Susan Benjes led the procession and was joined by Scouts, fire department members, elected officials, Irish step dancers and more. Parade participants marched up Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road and continued on Main Street before turning north on Church Street and stopping at William T. Rogers Middle School.

Many spectators, who in the past would visit Main Street Pub for a drink during the parade, stopped by nearby tents to donate to the establishment this year. A few days before the parade, the fire left the bar and Euro Barber Shop with extensive fire, heat and smoke damage. Main Street Pub owner Scott McKinnon and his employees were on hand Saturday to thank those who donated by handing out refreshments.

Suffolk County Police issues traffic advisory for Kings Park

by Press Release - February 27, 2025

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The Suffolk County Police Department is advising motorists of road closures for the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 1 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Pulaski Road will be closed from Cedar Street to Route 25A. Lou Avenue will be closed from Cedar Street to Pulaski Road. Route 25A will be closed from Country Lane Drive to Lawrence Road. Church Street will be closed from Meadow Road to Hilden Street. Old Dock Road will be closed from Route 25A to Flynn Road.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade heads to Kings Park this weekend

by Heidi Sutton - February 26, 2025

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Kings-Park-Parade_030219_regan9 — Photo by Rita J. Egan

By Heidi Sutton

Irish eyes will be smiling as the 15th annual Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Saturday, March 1 at noon featuring numerous bagpipe bands, floats and hundreds of marching community organizations. It is the first of more than two dozen St. Patrick’s Day parades on Long Island in the coming weeks.

This year’s Grand Marshal Susan Benjes, who has made great contributions to the Kings Park community, will lead the festivities.

The parade steps off at the corner of Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road, continues down Main Street, turns onto Church Street, and ends down Old Dock Road at the William T. Rogers Middle School.

Irish pride continues on the North Shore with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Huntington Village on Sunday, March 9; on Saturday, March 15 in St. James; on Sunday March 16 in Rocky Point/Miller Place and Farmingdale; and on Sunday, March 23 in Ronkonkoma.

Port Jefferson becomes a winter wonderland for annual Santa Parade

by Julianne Mosher - December 5, 2024

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By Julianne Mosher

To prepare for the Christmas season, Santa Claus made his way down Main St. in Port Jefferson to ring in some holiday cheer.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, dancers from nearby schools dressed in their favorite holiday gear while they twirled, spun and danced to some favorite Christmas songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and marched from the Port Jefferson Rail Road up to the Village Center, for the annual Port Jefferson Santa Parade.

Brought in by a horse-drawn carriage at the end of the show, Santa was accompanied by local businesses, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Mayor Lauren Sheprow, who also marched down Main St. Special guests included Disney princesses, Donald Duck and Goofy, who pranced through the streets, waving to all the good little boys and girls, who eagerly anticipated the man in red.

The parade also included characters from the upcoming Dickens Festival, which is scheduled for next weekend, Dec. 7-8.

Gurwin Nursing & Rehabilitation hosts 4th annual homemade Thanksgiving float parade

by Press Release - November 29, 2024

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Three adorable children and grandchildren of the staff of Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack led the way for the 4^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27.

The parade is a local take on the MACYs Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, where staff guided more than a dozen homemade “floats” – made from medical carts and decorated with balloons, steamers, signs and lights – on a parade route through the halls of the facility, as residents sang and clapped along to music provided by the Commack High School “Jazz Messengers.”

The parade is an annual event held to enhance and reinforce the emotional health of residents who are apart from their families for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

“The holidays can be a rough time for residents who are here, because they’re used to being at home. So starting new traditions can help them see the positive light of being here,” said Nicole Hopper, Director of Therapeutic Nursing, Gurwin Healthcare System. “The smiles are incredible! We get cheers and claps. Some people can’t believe what they’re seeing.”

“I think it was so great, it was wonderful!” said Linn Carlson of Long Beach, who is at Gurwin for a short rehabilitation stay. “The imaginations that created these floats was ways up there. They were good.”

“That parade, all those balloons, and the costumes! One came over and gave me a hug!” said Mary Creter, resident council secretary. “And the music was nice. I wanted to get up and dance!”

This is the second year students from Commack High School have participated in the event.

About Gurwin Healthcare System

The Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a 5-star CMS rated 460-bed skilled nursing care facility in Commack, Long Island, and is part of the Gurwin Healthcare System, a renowned health-care provider offering a full continuum of healthcare and senior living services for medically complex individuals and frail older adults. Gurwin successfully rehabilitated more than 200 of its residents who were diagnosed COVID-19, through the work of its dedicated team of doctors and nursing staff.

Staff at Gurwin Jewish hosts first annual Halloween dog parade for residents

by Press Release - October 24, 2024

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Residents of Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack were all smiles as staff brought their furry companions to strut their stuff in their first annual Halloween Dog Parade, complete with costumes, treats and wagging tails!

“We are so excited to host our first annual Halloween Dog Parade for our residents,” said Nicole Hopper, Director of Therapeutic Recreation at the 460-bed facility. “Not only did the parade make our residents smile, but also it made them reminisce about growing up with their own pets. Pet therapy is extremely beneficial, and we look forward to continuing our pet therapy programs here at Gurwin.”

The parade took place in the Gurwin Center’s Simon Rainbow Room, where a dozen four-legged friends of Gurwin staff were dolled up in creative Halloween attire. With Hopper serving as the MC, the dogs, along with their owners, were able to flaunt their costumes down the makeshift runway with Gurwin residents flanking both sides.

Costumes included Wonder Woman, The Incredibles, Elvis, a shark, a pirate and a Beanie Baby, and treats were waiting for the pups including Halloween spooky snacks and pup cups!

“I very much enjoyed the parade because it was so nice to see the Gurwin staff with their dogs,” said Nina Klanke, Gurwin Center resident. “I myself had two dogs that were Cocker Spaniels, and they were so much fun and great company. Being at the parade today reminded me of the happy memories that I made with my own dogs.”

Howl-Ween Pet Pawrade heads to Northport Village Park Oct. 26

by Press Release - October 15, 2024

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Mark your calendars! On Saturday, October 26th at 9 a.m., Suffolk County Legislator Stephanie Bontempi, Village of Northport Mayor Donna Koch, and the Northport Farmers’ Market will be hosting the Howl-Ween Pet Pawrade in Northport Village Park. No RSVP is necessary.

Bring your furry friends dressed in their best Halloween costumes to join the fun and have a chance to win a prize! The parade lineup will meet in the Village Park behind the basketball court. The parade route will proceed around the playground and will end by the Farmers’ Market, where vendors and volunteers will judge the pet costumes. Winners will receive prizes donated by local pet stores and will have their pets highlighted on social media.

In case of inclement weather, the rain date is set for November 2nd.

For further information, please contact Legislator Bontempi’s office at (631)854-4500.

Cow Harbor Day returns to Northport’s streets

by Aidan Johnson - September 26, 2024

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By Aidan Johnson

Sunny skies greeted the residents of Northport and elsewhere as they celebrated the annual Cow Harbor Day Sunday, Sept. 22.

The event, which has been running for more than 50 years, celebrates the history of Northport whose original name, Cow Harbor, stems from the cows who “used to graze on the fields along the harbor which are now two lovely parks,” according to the village website.

Sunday’s festivities began at noon, with community members participating in a parade down Main Street which saw community members participating, including Grand Marshal Mikey Brannigan, a Northport High School alumni who recently won a bronze medal in the men’s 1500-meter T20 race at the Paris Paralympics.

Other activities included live music performances, carnival rides and games, and a boat race.

Northport Mayor Donna Koch discussed how the festival was started in 1973 as a way to boost local businesses and morale, and has successfully continued ever since.

“I’m amazed at the turnout today,” Koch said in an interview. “I don’t think I’ve seen a crowd this big in a long time.”

Also in attendance was the East Northport Civic Association, which was recently formed in response to the potential selling of three Northport-East Northport school district buildings, which ended up not coming into fruition, instead being leased.

John Scherer, president of the civic association, was happy to be a part of an event that was very meaningful to Northport, with whom East Northport shares the aforementioned school district.

“It’s a neighboring community, but we’re for all purposes one greater community … but it’s very important to us to be part of a very big celebration with the greater Northport community,” he said.

The Great Cow Harbor Weekend started Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with a 10K race followed in the evening by a lighted boat display at the Village Dock and a concert at Northport Village Park.

2024 Port Jefferson Village Cup Regatta draws large crowd for a cause

by Ava Himmelsbach - September 13, 2024

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By Ava Himmelsbach

This past Saturday, Sept. 7, the Port Jefferson Yacht Club and Village of Port Jefferson held their annual Village Cup Regatta to raise money and awareness for Mather’s Palliative Medicine Program and the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Anyone interested was allowed to be a crew member on the sailboats, with no experience required.

The event included multiple activities throughout the day, with two main parts: a parade followed by a race. The parade ran from the outer harbor on the west across to the waterfront on the east. In the race, participants from the Village of Port Jefferson and Mather Hospital competed as part of the Village Cup Charity Fundraiser.

The parade allowed teams to circle the port on their boats, all of which were decorated with flags and banners, and wave to the large crowd of guests as a prelude to the race. Families gathered on the docks to view the parade, which was managed by Port Jefferson Yacht Club staff and accompanied by bagpiper Marty Sexton. The parade lasted about 45 minutes and helped the sailors adjust to sporadic wind patterns throughout the day.

Despite overcast weather and sudden rain, sailors and guests had a great time, creating memories of a lasting tradition likely to continue in years to come. Rain began shortly after the parade and continued lightly for a couple of hours. Fortunately, the showers did not interfere with the race, and sailors proceeded as planned.

Port Jefferson Yacht Club Village Cup Regatta Committee member Dianna Stackow managed the setup process for the post-race gathering. “We are here to set up for the party that happens after the race,” she said. “They have speeches, raffles, food, wine, beer; Ralph Macchio will be here, and some government representation.” The party began around 3:30 p.m., welcoming guests and participants as they finished the race and celebrated another year of the tradition. “This is our 15th year, and we are going to break $1 million [in donations]. We’re very proud because we’re such a small club, so it’s such a large thing for us to do. It’s just such a good feeling, all around, everyone, our little club, you know, close together, and it’s nice to see what we accomplish.”

After an exhilarating race, participants, families, and guests gathered at a party in the Port Jefferson Village Center to celebrate their efforts and the successful fundraising brought by this year’s regatta. Celebrity ambassador Ralph Macchio has supported the regatta — along with the two programs funded by it — for the last 10 years. He was present at the event this weekend, along with many returnees who have helped uphold this tradition for the past decade and a half.

The friendly competition ended with the Village of Port Jefferson team winning.

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