Rockville Centre turns green for St. Patrick’s Day parade
- Mar 21
- 3 min read
Under bright skies and enjoying nearly springlike temperatures, tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Rockville Centre for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Saturday, transforming the village into a sea of green and community pride.
Held on the first full day of spring, the parade benefited from a welcome change in the weather. After overnight rain, the day turned sun-splashed, with temperatures in the 50s, ideal conditions for families, friends and visitors from across Long Island and beyond to gather along the route.
Crowds began gathering early ahead of the parade’s noon start, and were soon cheering and clapping as marchers made their way through the village. In the vicinity of Village Hall and St. Agnes Cathedral, spectators stood shoulder to shoulder behind barricades to catch a glimpse of the festivities.
“This parade means everything to the village of Rockville Centre,” Mayor Francis X. Murray said. “It brings the camaraderie out of everybody in town, and not only that, it brings out people from all over Long Island and up in Westchester. It’s a great day for the Irish and everybody else who lives here.”
Leading the procession as grand marshal was Bill Hogan, a longtime community member who was honored for his service and dedication. Walking the route, Hogan embraced the celebratory atmosphere and the crowd interaction.
“It’s a wonderful day,” he said. “It’s a fabulous celebration of the town, the community, the sense of giving that we have here.”
Hogan added that the energy of the younger attendees stood out most. “My favorite part was high-fiving all the kids that showed up,” he said. “I probably gave a hundred high-fives. They were telling me I gotta speed it up. I was like, ‘I don’t have to speed up. We’re setting the pace.’ That was fantastic. It was all wonderful.”
The parade featured a wide array of participants, including village and community leaders, police departments, marching bands and pipe-and-drum units from New York City and nearby towns. Fire departments from Baldwin, East Rockaway, Lakeview, Lynbrook, Malverne, Oceanside, Rockville Centre and South Hempstead marched, joined by local businesses, civic organizations and youth groups.
Among the participants were the Rockville Centre Lions Club, the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and local sports leagues, including Little League, football and soccer organizations. Athletes, students, and administrators from Molloy University also took part, along with leaders from St. Agnes.
The event was organized by the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, led by President Ashley Brennan, whose team coordinated not only the parade but also the fundraisers leading up to it.
Each year, the parade also serves a charitable mission, raising funds for three designated organizations during the parade season. This year’s beneficiaries were Rescuing Families, Inc., which offers food, clothing and emergency assistance to families in need; Nassau County Firefighters: Operation Wounded Warrior, which supports wounded veterans through financial aid and outreach programs; and Run for Mary, a community-driven initiative that raises funds for families facing medical hardships.
Through a series of fundraisers, the committee helps generate both awareness and critical financial support, reinforcing the event’s longstanding tradition of giving back.
“So many people have come together and so many people dedicated their time and effort to volunteer,” Brennan said. “It’s incredible.”
For longtime residents, the parade remains a cherished tradition. Janice Flatley, a Rockville Centre native watching across the street from St. Agnes, praised the event’s execution and atmosphere. “It was well done by everyone,” Flatley said. “It’s amazing. Everybody seems to be in good spirits. It’s a good time.”
She added that the bagpipes were her favorite part of the parade — a sentiment shared by many in attendance, including 8-year-old cousins Charlie Locke and Reagan Sweeney, who watched with family near Village Hall.
“I like the music [and] seeing my friends,” Charlie said.
From the rhythmic sounds of the pipes and drums to the overwhelming turnout of spectators clad in green, the parade once again showcased Rockville Centre’s deep sense of community — and its ability to bring people together in celebration.
Read the Herald article about our event.
