The St. Patrick's Day Parade

The St. Patrick's Day Parade

  by, Wendy Elkis Girnis, Class of 1977

The NYC St. Patrick's Day parade dates back to March 17, 1762. Irish ex-patriots and military members serving with the British army stationed in the colony of New York marched in a parade wearing green to symbolize Irish pride. They were immigrants who missed their homes and felt joy in the freedom to wear green, sing songs from home, play Irish tunes, and speak Irish. 

Originally, the parade was organized by military units, but after the War of 1812, Irish fraternal and beneficial societies took over the hosting and sponsoring the parade. The Irish 69th Regiment started to lead the parade around 1851.  The Ancient Order of Hibernians also became involved in the parade and eventually became the official sponsor. 

Hicksville High School Marching Band has marched in the St. Patrick's Day parade for as long as I can remember.  It was always fun preparing for the parade, except for the one year we needed to cut and staple green shamrocks on our hats.  It's a long story, but you'll find it below.  We were excited about boarding the buses with our instruments and heading into NY.  Some years, it was cold; others were seasonal.  The crowds lining the streets were boisterous and enjoying every minute of the parade.  I remember one year, we were told that WPIX was broadcasting a playback of the parade after the late news.  I think we all stayed up to see Hicksville march across the screen.  Unfortunately, the only person in the band who marched across our TV screens was Charlie Thorwarth, who played the baritone horn.  Needless to say, we all came to school the next day exhausted and mad at Charlie. 

From teacher and marching band director, Mr. Don Larsen - For the record, the giant shamrocks were the HS administration's reaction (Mr. Rusch, especially) to concerns about the orange in our uniforms.  If you recall, the political scene in Ireland and Northern Ireland was  VERY tense at that time.  One of the comments on the thread mentions the crowd lining the streets.

Mr. Larsen

I asked the alumni for their reminiscences as well as pictures of the parade.  We had quite a response.  Here are some of the responses with their memories of a great time. 

Kathy Doucette 

 

This is the only picture I have from the parade. This picture was taken by my sister, Mariann Doucette in 1979. I believe her and her friends skipped school that day because Seniors had a habit of doing that. I, Kathleen Doucette was a Sophomore, and, that's me carrying the base drum. 

The Band Director was, Mr. Don Larsen. In the picture you can see Mr. Pitrelli in the beige coat walking alongside the band.

 

I remember getting up early that morning. We didn't have chartered buses back then like they do today. Our transportation was the big yellow school bus. Once we arrived in the city, we waited on the side street until it was time to step onto 5th Avenue. The highlight of course was marching in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral and, seeing someone I knew amongst the thousands of spectators, my sister. She snapped this only picture I have of me and my fellow percussionist marching that day. I remember feeling relieved when I was able to unhook the base drum, but had blisters on both hands from banging that drum!! 

 

I wish I could remember more...

 

 

Ellen Baldwin Mackey:  That was such a fun time! I remember when we got back to the HS I used the pay phone to call home to be picked up and my mom was screaming that I was on TV.  She said they zoomed in and put a Shamrock around my face.  They taped it in the VCR but who knows where that ended up! Great memories for sure!

Anna Kokoris Tzanetos: I played the violin so I begged to be allowed to March and play the glockenspiel! One of the best memories from high school. What an honor.

Gina Marie Garone: I did , I was a Coquette

 Anne-Marie Simco-Hayes: Yes, I marched with the Coquettes senior year.  It is a wonderful memory.

 Donna Hess Fischetti: I marched as a Coquette

 Matthew Capelli: One of my favorite lifetime memories! Such an honor to march (played trumpet in the band) … in NYC … on St Patrick's Day!!

Karen Lee Britt: I was there, right next to you!  If I remember correctly, The Daily News front cover was an aerial photo of the parade and our band was the one in view. I know it was one of the major papers.

 Jackie Samuels-Jaffee: I remember watching Hilary Dick in a video Don Larsen probably has, from 1980 where they were marching and playing in the snow!

Joanne Pearl:  I marched and remember one year there was peppermint schnapps

Ilene Meister:  I marched twice in the NYC parade.

John Florio: Cut the day & took LIRR to Manhattan

Hope Cedar Dagan: I remember riding the bus into the city. I enjoyed the opportunity to march and hold the sign with Jane Batterman, even though some people threw beer cans at us!

Resources

History of the St. Patrick's Day Parade - https://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/about/history/