St. Patrick’s Parade a success again this year
Mayor Joe D’Onofrio helped lifelong Highland Falls residents Joe and David (Turkey) McCormick hoist the Irish flag over the village last Saturday morning … they were the village’s ‘Irishmen of the Year’ as well as the grand marshals of this year’s St. Patrick’s Parade, which was also held Saturday. Parade organizer George Fallon was at the ceremony, and helped raise the flag, as well as affixed ‘grand marshal’ sashes to both the McCormicks before they did their duty.
“I want to thank George and his committee and, just like the Fourth of July parade did through the years, it is building,” the mayor said.
There were about 50 people on hand to witness the flag raising, and as the parade moved north on Main St. there were groups of people watching. Most were in the vicinity of Memorial Park, Sacred Heart Church and then the South Gate Tavern.
“We want to thank everyone for coming out,” Fallon said, “and hopefully this is a tradition for years and years to come. “We want to thank the McCormick brothers for being our grand marshals.”
He said they hope to continue on the parade on the first Saturday of March forever more.
County Legislator Laurie Tautel, Senator James Skoufis and Assemblyman Colin Schmitt were all on hand for both events, and praised the community for the many traditions it continues each year.
“From what I know of you both, you’re mainstays of this community and this is a well-deserved honor,” Skoufis said.
In the parade, there were fire trucks (Highland Falls, Fort Montgomery and West Point) in the parade, as well as the Town of Highlands Ambulance Corps, three bagpipe bands (the USMA Pipe and Drums, Iona College and the Orange County Firefighters Pipes and Drums. There were floats, costumed characters, a ‘squire’ (Ben Mott) and ‘Highland Rose’ (Harper Pepe), Scouts, Irish step dancers and marching dignitaries. There were even goats from Fort Montgomery’s Hillaire Farm.
