No better day to be Irish in Rockville Centre

As if to atone for the horrible weather the week before, Mother Nature graced Rockville Centre with the most beautiful day of the year so far on the occasion of the 14th annual St. Patrick's Parade last Saturday.

Following the bright green line down Maple Avenue, the parade, led by Grand Marshal Bernie O'Brien, made its way down Rockville Centre's sun-splashed streets. Village board trustees followed O'Brien, along with Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, Village Justice Kevin McDonough, Town of Hempstead Councilman Tony Santino, state Sen. Dean Skelos and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

"It's a great turnout," said Trustee Kevin Glynn. "There's great weather. It looks like everybody's having a great time. I don't think I can say 'great' enough," he added with a laugh.

The event is known as "the parade that cares and shares," and the parade committee donates money each year to a national charity, an Irish charity and a local charity. This year the national charity was the Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, also known as Mollie's Fund, which is dedicated to increasing awareness of melanoma prevention and treatment. The Irish charity was the Long Island Gaelic Athletic Club Inc., which promotes Gaelic football and culture on Long Island. The local charity selected by the parade committee was the New York chapter of Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is based in Rockville Centre.

"Over an 11-month period, we raise money to give to our charities and also put on the parade," explained Ann Marie Myatt, co-chair of the parade organizing committee who described the event as a celebration of family, community, Irish pride and being an American. Myatt said that the total amount raised would be announced when the charities receive checks at the annual awards dinner on April 22.

"It was an incredible day," Myatt added. "The weather couldn't have been better, the crowds were fantastic and it warms your heart to see all the families coming out and spending the day together.

According to Myatt, the parade crowd this year — estimated at between 12,000 and 12,500 — was the largest ever. "I love it," said spectator and Rockville Centre resident Sal Calazzolo. "I've been coming here since the parade started."

"It was a wonderful event, as always," said Mayor Mary Bossart. "And because of the wonderful weather, it brought out most of the community."

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