St. Patrick's Day Parade brings out the Irish in Glen Cove

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It was the perfect day for Glen Cove’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 19 — cool, but not cold, with a cloudless sky, defying a prediction of bad weather.

The downtown streets began to fill with revelers at 12:45 p.m., and by 1 p.m., the parade’s start time, there were excited groups of people throughout the parade route. Pounding bass drums, followed by the familiar rat-a-tat of the snare, could be heard as the procession made its way down Forest Avenue through downtown Glen Cove to its final destination — St. Patrick’s Church on Glen Street. The parade is sponsored each year by the Glen Cove Hibernians and is considered one of Long Island’s premiere St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Many attendees from Glen Cove and surrounding areas were there to watch their friends or family members march. Sissie Gladd, 47, from Oyster Bay, came for her son, who is with the East Norwich Fire Department. “I try to come every year,” Gladd said. “It’s a good parade, something to do on a Sunday.” Gladd, who wore a green and orange hat, was dressed like most attendees, with festive attire reflecting Irish culture.

Four Irish wolfhounds led the parade, followed by the Nassau County Emerald Society Pipe band. Mayor Reggie Spinello marched beside his wife, Colleen, who threw candy to children along the route, being careful to make sure each child got a treat. The famous Glen Cove leprechaun hurled pieces of “gold” to attendees, and representatives from Northwell Health passed out green footballs. There were many pipe and drum bands and other groups representing a variety of ethnicities, including Banda El Carbonero and students of Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual practice.

Many of the marchers represented groups from Glen Cove like the Senior Center, Business Improvement District, Kiwanis Club, and Girl and Boy Scout troops.

Donna Valeo, of Glen Cove, and her three children, Cally, 11, Colton, 8, and Cooper, 7, marched for the third year in a row. Colton participates in the head-shaving event every year with the family’s team “Spikes for Kids” to raise money for St. Baldricks. The team raised $4,500 for the foundation. “We had a blast!” said Valeo. “The ladies that do registration for St. Baldricks recognized the kids. It was so cute”

Classic cars, monster trucks and motorcycles graced the parade route, with area fire departments at the end of the parade, their engines roaring and sirens wailing. Children covered their ears, but were clearly excited.

Valeo said the parade is one of her children’s favorite events of the year. “I’m sure we’ll be back next year,” she said.