By JUDY RATTNER
Irish wolfhounds, setters and terriers, as well as a number of horses, pranced by. The nearly two-hour-long procession, which kicked off at noon on Maple Avenue at Long Beach Road and made its way down Maple, ended at a reviewing stand facing St. Agnes Cathedral.
"This has to have been the largest and most enthusiastic crowd ever," said Ann Marie Myatt, the parade's co-chair. "It is a joy to put this parade together, but to get the response we did Saturday makes all of us so proud of what we do."
Parade participants included the village police and fire departments and fellow officers from surrounding areas and New York City. The Sandel Senior Center, the Rockville Centre Public Library, dance schools, restaurants, coffee shops, local real estate agents, nursery schools and even a supermarket were represented. Girl Scouts and Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts marched, displaying colorful handmade banners.
Molloy College had a large contingent, and representatives from Mercy Medical Center waved as they passed spectators. The Rockville Centre Little League, Lions Club, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, American Legion, several Knights of Columbus chapters, the St. Agnes Gaelic Society and CYO swim team and the Ancient Order of Hibernians and The Ladies AOH were also among the marchers. The Chosin Few Color Guard was one of the first units to reach the reviewing stand, and Coach Realtors, with a white coach drawn by a white horse, was among the last.
Islanders mascot Sparky, Mr. Met and Jets cheerleaders, who performed several routines in front of the reviewing stand, stoked the crowd.
"I feel like a grandmother, I feel so proud," said Meredith Krupp, who, with her husband, Gary, was a member of the parade's first organizing committee 14 1/2 years ago.
Grand Marshal Francis Murray echoed that sentiment, saying, "I'm so happy. We're very proud."
Elected officials were not in short supply, and each was announced by parade emcee Jack Irwin. The mayor, village trustees and justices Frank Yannelli and William Croutier were joined by Sen. Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Bob Barra, Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Councilman Anthony Santino and County Legislator Joseph Scannell. Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi was accompanied by Comptroller Howard Weitzman and District Attorney Kathleen Rice.
Sen. Charles Schumer marched alone, with aides preceding him, carrying a sign that read, "Sen. Schumer salutes the Irish." Waving, smiling and shaking hands on both sides of the parade route, Schumer carried a bullhorn. When he reached the reviewing stand, his cry of "Let's hear it for Rockville Centre getting some federal stimulus money!" was met with laughter, applause, wide smiles and thumbs up from the local officials looking on, including Mayor Bossart, Deputy Mayor Chuck Joyce and Trustees Andrew Karamouzis, Jeanne Mulry and Dave Krasula.
"We had a lot of major politicians," said Martin Ostrofsky, who, with his wife, Betty, son Iain, 15, and daughter Marisa, 12, has attended the parade for 10 years - as long as he's lived in the village. "I like that they come to Rockville Centre to recognize the importance of the community. I consider that a major plus."
Ostrofsky said that he always loves to hear the bagpipes and watch the step dancers in their colorful costumes. He added that he especially enjoys seeing friends and neighbors at the parade.
Barbara Walsh, who lives on Powell Avenue, said that practically everyone on her block heads over to watch the parade. "It's a chance to see people you haven't seen all winter," she said.
Caroline Willi, 12, a St. Agnes sixth-grader who watched the procession from near the reviewing stand with her friend and fellow classmate Lara Boyle, also 12, said she liked the dogs and the mascots.
"Great weather, great bands and great organization," said John O'Connell, president of the Nassau County Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers, after he and other board members marched with AOH Division 14. "Everything was just terrific."
"The St. Patrick's Parade was a smashing success for both the village and the parade committee," said Village Administrator Frank Quigley. "Rockville Centre residents and visitors enjoyed a wonderful afternoon cheering a record number of participating organizations. We are glad to have provided so many with such a memorable family experience.
"Given the very large turnout, we're also happy to report that there were no incidents resulting in arrest during the parade or immediately afterward," Quigley added. "There were a few incidents that resulted in three arrests later in the evening." But, he said, the village's "strong police presence maintained a calm, orderly environment all day and into the night."
The village was appreciative of all its workers, Quigley concluded, "from police to sanitation, and all the spectators who made this such a memorable event."
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