The rain didn’t dampen the spirit of Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who donned a green sweater and joined mom, dad and the kids in putting his “Irish” foot forward for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Bay Ridge.
Merrymakers kicked off the line of march in front of St. Patrick’s Church, 95th Street and Fourth Avenue, jubilantly striding alongside a cornucopia of strolling minstrels, marching bands, and area youth and veteran groups in celebration of the national day of pride.
Dance troupes kept the hordes entertained as they executed fancy footwork while Emerald Society bands from the Police, Sanitation and Fire departments joined pipes and drums corps from across the city to provide a sweet serenade.
Grand Marshal Michael Connors, of Connors and Sullivan law firm, led the festive flock north along Fourth Avenue to Fifth Avenue and onto 59th Street for concluding rites at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
This year’s jaunt was dedicated to late neighborhood stalwart Bridget McCready, who worked at such establishments as Peggy O’Neill’s and Bally Bunion, and who succumbed to cancer in the past year.
