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The Irish flag is up at St. Mary’s in East Islip, a sure sign that the town’s beloved John P. Reilly St. Patrick’s Day Parade is now just days away.
The 60th annual parade takes place on Sunday, March 2, stepping off at 2 p.m. in front of the East Islip Public Library. Parade participants will travel west along Main Street, passing by the grandstand at St. Mary’s RC Church, before concluding at Irish Lane.
This year’s Grand Marshal, John Davis, will lead a procession filled with the sounds of bagpipe bands and emergency vehicles, along with marching community groups and colorful floats. Before being named Grand Marshal himself, Davis had helped plan the Grand Marshal Ball for 18 years.
Below is some video from this year’s Grand Marshal Ball held earlier this month at Harp & Hound.
Well over 1,000 residents and visitors are expected to help create a sea of green along Main Street for the 90-minute parade.
A highlight of this year’s celebration will be a Food Truck Festival featuring favorite local vendors.
Food trucks will be stationed at both ends of the parade route. At the beginning, parade-goers can enjoy offerings from Impractical Smokers, Meat the Greeks, The Big Black Food Truck and Charlie’s Hot Dogs. Near the grandstand at the end of the route, vendors will include How You Dogin, Rolling Smoke Grill, and Shrimpy’s Burrito Bar.
Top photo: GLI file photos.
