St. Patrick's Parade

& Irish Fair

The St. Patrick's Parade & Irish Fair Committee is commited to celebrating the diversity of the Irish and Irish American communities of New York. First held in 2000, the Parade & Fair has become an annual community endeavor that cherishes and celebrates an inclusive St. Patrick's holiday season. Our celebration is the first in the 240 years + of Irish parades in New York City to be open and welcoming to all who share the spirit of the day. Our theme "cherishing all the children of the nation equally" is taken from the 1916 Easter Proclamation of the Irish Republic. It is a vision drawn from our past and a guide for our future.

On March 2nd, 2008, the cries of delighted children and the call of the bagpipes will lead the 9th annual St. Patrick's Parade & Irish Fair in Sunnyside/Woodside. Since the word has spread about our event we have gotten committments from many public officials, community groups, unions, pipers, dancers and puppeteers, religious communities, the young, seniors, gay and straight, all looking forward to celebrating our wonderful diversity. Visitors from Ireland will join us along with many contingents. We will again proudly showcase other contingents representing the great people of the Caribbean, latino, Native American, and Korean communities.

We will be celebrating our common heritage and humanity. Of course, we have had to face many challenges, hurdles and costs!! However, the committee has been heartened by the warm welcome and generous support we find in our community.

Each year we pay special tribute to friends and family that have died. Our first parade paid special tribute to the late Ed Fowley. A dedicated and fearless Irish American who reached out to the least in our community, Ed was affectionately known as the "Mayor of Woodside." Ed warmly encouraged our plans in the weeks before he passed away. In 2001 we honored the life of Eileen Egan, advocate for non-violence and compassion. Eileen died the summer of that year and is buried in Queen's Calvary cemetery. In 2002, we remembered our beloved friend, Father Mychal Judge. A great supporter of our parade, Mychal died at the World Trade Center on September 11. In 2003 we mourned the loss of Philip Berrigan, a courageous and compassionate man who was tirelessly outspoken against war and militarism. In 2004 we celebrated the life of Frank Durkan, renowned civil rights leader and prominent attorney. Additionally, we highlighted the struggle for same-sex marriage rights. The 2005 parade honored Mary Simosa, advocate for families with children living with disabilities and Stanley Rygor, community activist and celebrated musician. In 2006 we honored the internationally renowned Irish/Irish American brothers of stage and screen, the McCourt brothers, Frank, Malachy, Aiden and Michael McCourt, and Irish community organizer and St. Pat's for All co-founder, Ellen Duncan. In 2007, we honored Bronx public school teacher, Caroline Duggan. This year's grand marshals are NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn and writer Pete Hamill.

We hope that you can help us make this year's parade just as special as in prior years. We have a great deal of work ahead of us in the coming months ahead.

We invite you to join us..Here are some of the ways you can help:

Thank you for enthusiasm. Your help is essential to make this historical event happen. Above all though, we look forward to hearing from you, and come next March 4th, marching together or cheering us along the parade route as we forever "Cherish All the Children of the Nation Equally".

Le Meas,

With Kind Regards,

Brendan Fay, Barbara Ann Heffernan Mohr, Co-Chairs

"cherishing all the children of the nation equally..."

Proclamation of the Irish Republic, Easter 1916

tele #: 718-721-2780             www.stpatsforall.com             e-mail: info@stpatsforall.com

St. Patrick's Parade & Irish Fair

22-22 28th St., Astoria, NY 11105