The 66th Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on McLean Avenue on Saturday, March 18.
According to a release from organizers, "this highly anticipated parade continues the grand tradition of Yonkers honoring our Irish heritage and contributions to the Yonkers community, and Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and the Archdiocese of New York."
Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald will lead the 2023 Parade as its 66th Grand Marshal, the release stated.
And it continued: "Following an impressive series of missions and assignments, Fr. Fitzgerald was appointed pastor of Saint Barnabas parish in July of 2016.
"During his time at Saint Barnabas he has become Chaplain to the FDNY Emerald Society, FDNY Holy Name Society, FDNY G.A.A., United Emerald Societies, New York State AOH, and the New York GAA as well as Chaplain of the Kerry Association.
"The Parade Board recognizes Fr. Fitzgerald's contribution to the greater St. Barnabas neighborhood in Yonkers and Woodlawn. He is a well-respected presence in southeast Yonkers since becoming Pastor, and has demonstrated great leadership and involvement in the broader community. The Board is proud to name Fr. Fitzgerald as Grand Marshal for the 2023 Yonkers St. Patrick's Day parade."
The parade board also named "eight outstanding Irish-Americans" who will serve as Aides to Grand Marshal.
"The selection of an Aide recognizes years of committed and notable service to Yonkers area communities, and for their contributions to Irish heritage, culture and faith. The 2023 Aides to the Grand Marshal are: Patrice Buckley, Kerry Association (President); Kelly Olsen Chiarella, Community Leader/ Director - Yonkers Office of the Aging; Mickey Coleman, County Tyrone Association; Pauline Galvin; Community Leader; Kevin Fitzgerald, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 1 (Yonkers); John Ryan, Con Edison Emerald Society; Noreen Ryan, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 19, and Michael Sharkey, Yonkers Fire Department."
There will be a series of parade related events including: The Irish Flag will be raised at City Hall on Tuesday March 7th at 4 p.m. The Green Line will tentatively be painted on McLean Avenue near the Aisling Center on Tuesday March 14, the to be confirmed as closer to the parade date. The Parade Dinner will be held on Saturday March 11 at Castle Royale at 7 p.m. The Pre-Parade Mass will be celebrated on March 18 at 11:15 a.m. in the St. Barnabas High School Chapel.
Bands and marching units interested in participating in the parade should complete an application at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Akn4v9FjIZT03YfwHxcuxOLkWnjOgFrL6gM5K1fUsGg/viewform?edit_requested=true.
Applications must be approved by the Line of March committee, the parade release stated.
More on the Yonkers parade at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Yonkers-St-Patricks-Day-Parade-on-McLean-Avenue-317599634948106/. Twitter: https://twitter.com/yonkers_parade?lang=en.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yonkersst.patsparade/. The parade website is http://www.yonkersstpatricksparade.org/.
