Slainte!
Organizers fired up festivities for next month’s Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade by toasting the men and women who will lead the 37th annual Irish-themed jaunt at an installation dance in Bay Ridge.
The Feb. 4 revel — held aptly at St. Patrick’s Church on Fourth Avenue and 97th Street — featured music by the Michael McGovern Band, with solos by Emerald Isle accordionist John Nolan, and enough beer and cheer to set the merry tone, but the choice nuggets of the day were the pomp-filled installations of the grand marshal and his deputies.
John Ridge, vice president of the New York Irish History Roundtable, and author of “Celebrating 250 Years of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” was inducted as the grand marshal, alongside his deputies, Donald Kent, Gloria Bischoff, Virginia Sheehan, Anne Hearn, Frank Keegan, Harry Farrell, John Moore and Jim Healy.
This year’s parade is dedicated to the memories of New York State Gov. Hugh Carey, and civic activist Kevin Patrick Carroll, said Kathleen McDonagh of the Brooklyn Irish American Parade Committee.
Brooklyn St. Patrick’s Day Parade [pre-parade Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 245 Prospect Park West at 14th Street in Park Slope], March 18 at 9 am; (718) 499-9482.
Reach reporter Shavana Abruzzo at sabruzzo@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2529.
