On Saturday, March 7, the 51st Queens County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade commenced at Rockaway Beach, defying typical Irish weather.
Grand Marshal Michele Cusack, the Chief Financial Officer at Northwell Health, one of the nation’s largest healthcare providers, presided over the parade.
Parade organizers paid tribute to the Knights of Saint Patrick, a group dedicated to supporting regional Irish cultural events and Saint Patrick’s Day parades, for donating $2,500 to the annual parade.
The organizers expressed their profound gratitude for this substantial contribution, which helped fund fund the pre-parade breakfast at the Rockaway Beach Knights of Columbus hall, setting a festive tone for the festivities.
Knights of Saint Patrick members, including Chairman John F. Tully, Patrick McGowan (2010 Grand Marshal, Queens County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade), and Brian J. Sharkey, presented the donation to Parade Chairman Michael A. Benn (2025 Grand Marshal ,NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade) at the Rockaway Beach Knights of Columbus hall.
The Knights of Saint Patrick have consistently been a reliable source of support, having donated grants totaling $62,000 to various Irish cultural initiatives across Downstate New York this parade season.
In 2026, the Irish American philanthropic organization expanded its support to 13 metropolitan St. Patrick’s Day parades, up from 11 in previous year. These parades, along with charitable causes, received grants from the Knights of Saint Patrick. Notably, the iconic New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a landmark celebration of Irish culture and heritage since 1762, and the Saint Patrick’s Day Foundation were among the beneficiaries.
The New York Archdiocese and Cathedral also received a Knights grant to assist in covering the costs associated with the celebration at the pre-parade mass held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on March 17.
