By Karen Bloom
It’s an occasion not only for the Irish, but for everyone who enjoys things Irish. Join the hooley and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in true Irish style! You don’t have to be from the Old Country to get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
While it reminds us about St Patrick, it also helps us enjoy Irish culture. That can include laughing to some Irish jokes, dancing to Irish bands, eating traditional foods.
St. Patrick’s Day is commemorated at the many events and parades throughout the region. One of the major celebrations takes place at Hofstra University on Sunday. Its Irish Festival, now in its 11th year, draws large numbers of visitors every year to celebrate the Irish gifts of music, food and culture to America. Music and dance performances go on throughout the day, as well as a variety of crafts to browse and Irish treats to eat. It’s held inside the Physical Fitness Center on the University's north campus.
The festival’s popularity has steadily grown over the years. “We decided to follow up on the wonderful successes with our Dutch Festival and Italian Festival,” said Bob Spiotto, artistic director of community arts programs and executive producer of Hofstra Entertainment, reflecting on the festival's early days. We changed the color of the flag and suddenly we had an Irish festival.”
There are plenty of activities throughout the day to keep everyone occupied. Or as Spiotto put it, “something for all the Irish
senses.”
Tony Jackson as Master of Ceremonies and Michael O'Rourke and the Black Velvet Band set the tone for a full day of Irish music and dance. Performers include Ceili Rain, a band that performs Celtic-flavored pop rock and traditional Irish music; Liadan, an all-female band direct from Galway, Limerick and Dublin, with a unique blend of traditional Irish music and song; and The Amazing Fred Collins. This juggler, magician, stilt walker, plate spinner, balloon artist, stilt walker, and human basketball hoop extraordinaire enthralls all ages with his antics.
And, of course, an Irish Festival would not be complete without Irish Step Dancing. The Hirten Family Irish Dancers delights visitors when they they take to the stage with their expertise and beautiful costuming. One of the best-known acts of their kind in the country, the group includes generations of dancers – 6 to 7-year-olds along with the family matriarch – who perform together.
Besides entertainment, Irish culture is represented through the different Irish organizations who participate, among them The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish Cultural Society and the Irish American Center. They are all eager to say hello. Visitors also have an opportunity to browse and shop for Celtic gift items, among the 40 vendors that showcase Irish products. If all that is enough to work up an appetite, there’s plenty of Irish cuisine to sample.
Kids can enjoy face painting and crafts, courtesy of the Hofstra Museum.
“We try to provide as much variety as we can,” said Spiotto. “There are no disappointments. Everyone who comes is happy about the day. It’s great to see such a celebratory nature within this physical fitness center. We turn the space into a small Irish cottage for the day.”
The festival is held March 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested admission is $5 per person. Net proceeds benefit the Hofstra Scholarship Fund. Call (516) 463-6582 or (516) 463-6504 for more information, or visit www.hofstra.edu/festivals.
On with the parade, a St. Patrick’s Day tradition
Today, it is said, Irish descendants in the United States put on a grander and bigger St. Patrick’s Day celebration than the people in Ireland! And while the many events surrounding the holiday are enjoyable for all, it’s the parade that is truly the focus of the celebration.
It's time to show off some green, enjoy a green bagel or two, some corned beef and cabbage, and find a parade. Whether you get on the train and head into Manhattan or stay local, a parade is sure to bring out the Irish in everyone.
New York City Saint
Patrick’s Day Parade
What says St. Patrick’s Day more than New York’s City’s parade? The grandest of parades, it has been marching up 5th Avenue for 248 consecutive years. The 2009 edition marches, unit by unit, from 44th to 86th streets, on Tuesday, March 17. About two million people line the streets annually to see the some 150,000 marchers in this lively celebration.
The parade begins at 8.30 a.m. with Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, a traditional Catholic service to bless the parade. Marchers congregate at 44th St. and move off at 11 a.m. sharp, led by the “Fighting 69th” –the American Army infantry division with an Irish tradition dating back to the American War of Independence – followed by the Grand Marshal of the Parade Michael J. Gibbons and his Aides.
For a good view, try sitting on the upper steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or catch a close-up of the marchers where the parade turns east on 86th St. For more information, visit http://nyc-st-patrick-day-parade.org.
Rockville Centre Parade
Now in its 13th year, the St. Patrick’s Day parade brings out South Shore residents for a joyous celebration of all things Irish. The Rockville Centre Parade Committee’s motto “The Parade That Cares and Shares” reflects its commitment to not only celebrating Irish heritage, but giving back to the community. Since its inception, over $300,000 has been distributed to national, local and Irish charities.
With Grand Marshal – Rockville Centre resident – Fran Murray at the helm, the parade steps off at noon, on Saturday, March 21, at the corner of Maple Ave. and North Long Beach Rd. The parade route goes down Maple Avenue, past the Village Hall to Quealy Place, and ends at the parking lot on Washington Street. For more information on the Rockville Centre parade, visit www.rvcstpatrick.com.
Glen Cove Parade
The 21st St. Patrick's Day parade, sponsored by the Glen Cove Hibernians, has grown to be the largest annual parade in Glen Cove and a civic celebration that is eagerly awaited each spring by the entire Irish community of Long Island. It is organized by the volunteers of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 8. It is one of the most colorful in the country, a large number of pipe bands, marching bands and other attractions. This year’s festivities take place Sunday, Mar. 22, 1-2 p.m.
The line-up includes several bagpipe bands, military vehicles, 4x4 trucks antique cars, motorcycles, twirlers, Scouts, Irish dance academies, and Irish Wolfhounds. The parade forms behind the Finley Middle School on Forest Ave. Led by Grand Marshal Robert P. Lynch, it moves from the designated formation areas around the Finley Middle School and travels south onto School Street to Glen Street. It ends at St. Patrick's Church, which is located at the corner of Glen Street and Pearsall Avenue. If the weather cooperates, two to three thousand spectators are expected. For more information, visit www.glencoveirish.com.
