PARADE 2008 : FOR 74 YEARS, A GRAND HUNTINGTON TRADITION

Franklin D. Roosevelt had just been elected president, the great depression was still a fact of life, the Yankee's had won the World Series and radio's were the main source of information for folks around these parts. The Irish in America were staking their claim to public office, running local businesses, patrolling our streets, fighting our fires, raising large families and running world class pubs wherever they settled. 1932 would also see the very first St. Patrick's day parade on Long Island right here in Huntington.

Over the past 74 years, the parade has since grown to become the oldest and largest on Long Island and marks the unofficial start of spring this Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 PM. While there are only a few folks around who remember that first St. Patrick's day parade, they will tell you that it is the day Huntington puts her best face forward and everyone has a wee bit of Irish in them. Each year up to 50,000 current and former residents jam Huntington Village for this wonderful family and community event. The Parade also remains a tremendous catalyst to the local Huntington economy, with spectators packing the local restaurants, shops, and pubs.

The core of the Parade is, of course, the Bag Pipe bands, and no parade on Long Island can match the Huntington's line-up with bands from all over the Island. As in previous years, the Hibernians sponsor a number local bands for the sole purpose of entertaining the parade watchers, making this annual event the best ever. Some of those bands to watch for include the Huntington AOH sponsored Northport Pipe & Drum, along with; the Suffolk County Emerald Society, IBEW Local 25, American Celtic Pipe Band Inis Fada, Clan Gordon, County Armagh Pipe band, Nassau County Firefighter's Emerald Society Pipe Band and the highly regarded Clan Erin from Brooklyn, who step off as the lead Pipers.

Although the Scots lay claim to the bagpipe, the bagpipe existed in Ireland long before Scotland. It was used during religous celebrations, funerals and to assemble villagers and Towns people in time of emergences and in time of war. So, when you hear the sounds of the pipes being played it will touch the hearts of all who listen and remind us of the Irish of centuries ago who fought for freedom in this country and in Ireland.

The Pipers will be followed by the phenominal Irish Step Dacers of the Petri School of Irish Dancing. The Petri School of East Northport has quickly become one of the preeminent Irish Dance schools in the world. These young women have traveled the world, winning international competitions, with one of their own, Gabrielle Wood, becoming the first Long Islander and only the 5th American to win the World Championship of Irish Step Dancing. Feast your eyes on the worlds best!

On the marching band front, this year's Parade will include the states best marching band, the tremendous Copiague High School Marching Band, recent winner of the state marching band competition. They will march along with last years winner, our very own amazing Huntington Blue Devil Marching Band as well as the Walt Whitman Wildcats, last years runner up. They will be joined by the entertaining and energetic Uniondale High School Marching Band, a line up of bands that rivals any parade on the East Coast.

In addition to sounds of bagpipes and marching bands, the Parade will delight children, with a display of local fire engines, police cars, a Harley Davidson motorcycle group, local radio stations promotions, classic cars, Irish wolfhounds, and more. The Parade is also a chance to support and honor local dedicated volunteers who will march with their respective community, school and religious groups.

This years parade is dedicated in honor of all the brave men and women serving in our Armed Forces overseas, defending freedom and securing liberty for all Americans. And our dedication extends to all Veterans of foreign wars and their families who have given so much to preserving our traditions, values and our way of life. A.O.H. President Jack Ryan reminds us, "Today, we celebrate the memory of St. Patrick the patron Saint of Ireland and the traditions, culture and history of the Irish people but we should remember each and every day that freedom is not free, there is a price to pay and we as a nation need to be as strong in spirit and will as our ancestors were it defending that freedom. May God Bless and protect our brave men and women of our Armed Forces".

The Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians will once again, as is this their custom, march dressed in their distinctive gray morning suit tuxedos. "We take a great deal of pride in putting on the Parade" said AOH member Dominick Feeney, Jr., whose grandfather was a founding father of the current Huntinton AOH. "We work hard to make sure the Saint Patrick's Day Parade is a wonderful Huntington community event."

President Jack Ryan said, "The Town sponsors the parade each year but in truth it's actually the Hibernians who organize, promote, run and most importantly, raise the money needed to pay for all the expenses associated with putting on this spectacular parade.

Each year, the Hibernians go door to door solicatating donations from local businesses for advertisements which appear in this special St. Patrick's Day Parade edition of the Long Islander and Record. For this reason, I would like to especially thank Hibernian Vice President Rich McGrath, this year's Parade Journal Chairman and Maryann Hicks, a good friend and great supporter of the Hibernians, and all the Hibernian members who helped make this Parade Journal a great success. Also, a special thanks goes out to past AOH President and past Grand Marshall, Dominick Feeney, Sr. for once again, his unbelievable effort gathering the support of local merchants and businesses. A sincere thanks you to all!!!"

The Parade honors Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland, who converted the pagan Celts to Christianity around the year 430 A.D. St. Patrick founded the cathedral church of Armagh, and it soon became the center of the Church's activities in Ireland. During his three decades in Ireland, he raised the standards of scholarship, encouraged the study of Latin and brought Ireland into closer relations with the rest of the Western Church until his death on March 17, in 461 A.D.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a national Irish-American Catholic organization that was founded in New York City in 1836 and whose roots can be traced back to Ireland. The AOH. Is dedicated to preserving Irish heritage. Their motto is "Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity" and a large portion of their work is devoted to charity. In the past few years, the Huntington AOH. has raised thousands of dollars for various charitable organizations including, Huntington Hospital, the Junior Welfare League, Pederson Kreg, various college and high school educational scholarships, as well as each month being the largest contributor of food to local Catholic parishes' food pantries.

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in joining the Ancient Order of Hibernians please visit our membership section or call 631-261-8293. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at the VFW/AOH Hall at 210 West Pulaski Road at 7:30 PM.

The Parade will kick off just north of the Huntington Train Station along New York Avenue before turning west onto Main Street ending at Saint Patrick's Church. It begins promptly at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 9th, 2008. But get there early; good viewing spots go quickly!