By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
EAST DURHAM — The streets were lined with revelers Sunday afternoon for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in East Durham.
This was the second time in 32 years the parade has been held — last year was the first time in over three decades. And like last year, the weather was dicey — it drizzled a bit on and off throughout the hour-long parade, but cloudy skies and some raindrops couldn’t dampen the festivities.
Route 145 was lined with people cheering along the marchers, which included local businesses, the Cairo-Durham High School marching band, fire departments, youth groups like Scouts, and more, including “St. Patrick,” who also put in an appearance.
A pair of marchers carried a sign paying tribute to Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army, or IRA, who died on a hunger strike on May 5, 1981, while imprisoned in Northern Ireland.
Many marchers tossed candy to children in the crowd, and there were plenty of Irish and U.S. flags waving in the breeze throughout the parade.
There was not one but two witch-themed dance troupes, the Hilltown Hags and Witches Along the Hudson, who danced their way along the route.
It was a day for dancing, apparently, as the parade also included Michael J. Farrell School of Irish Dance students and the Catskill Mountain Line Dancers, sponsored by The Shamrock House, who performed for the cheering crowd.
And there were even a few furry friends dressed up for the occasion, like Nora, a tiny Chihuahua all dolled up in a green coat.
“This is a wonderful parade,” said Elizabeth Brady, of Connecticut, who was in the area visiting friends and decided to come out for the event. “It’s such a fun way to celebrate the holiday — everyone is smiling and having a good time.”
This year’s grand marshals for the parade were Colleen McGrath Fenlon and Dermot Fenlon, owners of McGrath’s Edgewood Falls in East Durham. Father Henry Reid, a lifelong friend of the McGrath family, served as aide to the grand marshal.
The parade started at 1 p.m. with marchers stepping off from the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Centre, and they headed down the parade route, ending at Five Furlongs Tavern on Route 145.
“There are so many people out here even though the clouds are threatening,” said spectator Brian Robertson. “This is what small-town life is all about.”
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world every March 17 in honor of the patron saint of Ireland.
Next weekend it will be Greenville’s turn. The annual St. Patrick’s Parade hosted by the Greenville Irish American Club will be on Saturday, March 29, with step-off from St. John’s Church on Route 81 in Greenville at 1 p.m. Marchers will make their way to the steps of the Greenville Public Library, where a brief ceremony will be held in honor of the holiday.
Here are more photos from Sunday’s parade.
