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Park Slope, Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s parades return

March 15, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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As a sure sign that the COVID pandemic is receding, Brooklyn’s two largest St. Patrick’s parades, one in Park Slope and the other in Bay Ridge, are returning to the borough after a two-year absence.

The first is the Park Slope parade, officially known as the Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade, to be held on Sunday, March 20, three days after St. Patrick’s Day itself. This parade, which has been sponsored by the Irish American Parade Committee since 1975, honors not only the famed Irish saint but those who fought in the 1776 Battle of Brooklyn, which took place at the Old Stone House in Park Slope.

The parade kicks off with a Parade Day Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 245 Prospect Park West, then proceeds with an assembly on Prospect Park West between 15th and 9th streets at noon. A rededication ceremony for the heroes and victims of 9/11 will take place at 12:30 p.m.

The parade itself steps off from Bartel-Pritchard Square at 1 p.m., and proceeds down 15th Street to 7th Avenue, along 7th Avenue to Garfield Place, up Garfield Place to Prospect Park West and along Prospect Park West to 15th Street. 

This year’s grand marshal is Marty Maher, longtime Brooklyn parks commissioner. His aides represent such institutions as the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the United Irish Counties Association, the Brooklyn Shamrocks Football Club, the O’Donnell Academy of Irish Dance ant St. Saviour Catholic Academy.

Honorees in their official uniforms take part in the Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas

The 27th annual Bay Ridge parade will take place on March 27. The grand marshal is Linda Gallagher-Lomanto, longtime community volunteer with many organizations. According to the parade website, the parade was the brainchild of the late Gene Reilly, owner of the old Leif Erickson Pub on 5th Avenue. “He wanted to share the Celtic culture and his love of Irish heritage,” and believed that there was “always room for one more parade in New York City.”

A police band passes by the Pavilion Theater (now the Nitehawk) during Park Slope’s Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Parade in 2018. Eagle file photo by John Alexander

The parade is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. with a mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge. Marchers and floats begin lining up at 12:30 p.m.at the corner of Marine and 3rd avenues. The parade itself begins at 1 p.m. 

Whatever parade you decide to attend, you are sure to see marching bands, bagpipers, colorful floats, Irish dancing, kids’ activities, antique cars and more.

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