Thursday, October 1, 2026
Pipe bands, marching bands, veteran, religious and civic organizations, and a lineup of Irish entertainment are all part of the 37th annual Saint Brendan The Navigator Irish Day Parade and Festival.
Hosted by The Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Division 17, the street festival on Oct. 3 in the West End will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The parade, led by grand marshal Hooks for Heroes, will begin at Washington Boulevard and Park Avenue at 11 a.m. travel south on Washington, turn onto West Beech Street and continue through the West End, ending at Connecticut Avenue.
Chris Nolan, co-parade chair for Long Beach AOH Division 17, said he hopes last year’s good weather carries over.
“It’s just a great day to bring the family and friends out,” he said.
Parking on West Beech Street between New York Avenue and Connecticut Avenue will be prohibited from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. West Beech Street will close to traffic at 7 a.m. The West End Bus Loop will run on West Park Avenue during the festival. All buses will be free to riders after 4 p.m.
This year’s Irish Day Parade grand marshal will be Hooks for Heroes, a local nonprofit that supports first responders through fishing as a positive outlet.
Hooks for Heroes’ goal is “to provide veterans and first responders with complimentary fishing trips aboard local charter boats, offering them a chance to step away from the stresses of daily life, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the camaraderie of others who understand their experiences,” its mission statement reads.
“They were an obvious choice,” Nolan said. “They do a lot of great stuff for the people who look out for us. We’re very happy to have them as an honoree this year.”
William Peyton, Jake Marlin, John Deely and Maureen Walsh are this year’s aides to the grand marshal.
There will be an installation reception on Oct. 1 to recognize Hooks for Heroes at Minnesota’s, 939 W. Beech St. Cocktail hour will start at 7 p.m. and the reception will be from 8 to 11 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased for $80 by contacting Jeff McCormack at (516) 639-3911.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is the oldest Irish Catholic organization in the U.S., dating back three centuries to Ireland. Its influence stretches to Canada, England, Wales and Scotland.
The group, founded domestically in 1836, helps new Irish immigrants adjust socially and financially while working to preserve Irish culture through arts, dance, music, and sports. The AOH also continues to advocate on key issues affecting the Irish community.
Long Beach Division 17 is a charitable organization that hosts numerous events throughout Long Beach every year. Since 1988, it has donated to hundreds of charities, scholarships, organizations and families and individuals in need.
For more information on AOH Division 17, the event or Hooks for Heroes, go to AOHLongBeachDiv17.org, and hooksforheroes.org, respectively.
