It’s that verdant time of year when winter’s cold gives way to spring’s blossom. This time is also synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated annually on March 17. The Irish have long observed this day for more than 1,000 years. Today, everyone gets to be a little bit Irish, while partaking in the festivities which fall in the middle of the month that marches in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. St. Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is Ireland’s patron saint and its national apostle.

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade, however, took place not in Ireland, but in America. According to records, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held on March 17, 1601, in a Spanish colony in what is now St. Augustine, Fla., organized by the Spanish colony’s Irish vicar Ricardo Artur. More than a century later, Irish soldiers, who were homesick while serving in the English military, marched in New York City on March 17, 1772. From there, excitement and zeal for parades to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint and Irish heritage only grew in New York, Boston, and other early American cities.

Here are some local St. Patrick’s Day parades for those looking to adorn themselves in green and be seen celebrating the luck, and rich history, of the Irish.

The 58th annual John P. Reilly East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 5

The Local Hibernians Inc. will hold their 58th annual John P. Reilly East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in keeping with their tradition of holding the parade on the first Sunday of March—in honor of the parade’s founder and chairman—John P. Reilly, who began this parade in 1966.

To mark this joyous occasion, the Roisin Dubh Pipe Band, led by the parade’s grand marshal Tom McHugh and the ladies aide to the grand marshal Patricia Fitzpatrick, will step off at 2 p.m. The parade will start in front of the East Islip Public Library and travel west along Main Street. The promenade will pass by the grandstand at St. Mary’s R.C. Church and end at the aptly named Irish Lane.

The 1.35-mile parade route will also include additional pipe bands, Vietnam veterans, local fire, police, and EMS departments, soccer leagues, school bands, Irish step dancers, and more, marching in this spectacular celebration. Joining these organizations, the 2023 parade will be including floats for the first time, which they hope will bring even more community participation and excitement. All are invited to come down and line up on Main Street to show support for the community and its local businesses. The event will be held rain or shine!

Those interested in sponsorship opportunities or to participate in the parade can go to @eiparade on Twitter and Instagram, East Islip St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Facebook, or reach out to localhibernians@gmail.com.

Bay Shore-Brightwaters St. Patrick’s Day Parade, March 11

The 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade of Greater Bay Shore will be held on Saturday, March 11, stepping off at 2 p.m. This year’s grand marshal will be Donna Moravick, executive director, South Shore University Hospital Northwell Health. Support and band sponsors will assist in covering the cost of the parade.

A new addition to the parade will be a virtual journal to be presented at the grand marshal’s Installment Dinner, on March 4, at Captain Bill’s. The journal will also be on display the day of the parade at the band reviewing stand and in several businesses along the parade route. Business logos/advertisements and a special personal message for the grand marshal should be emailed to dengib25@verizon.net  PDF format is preferred to ensure the best quality for the displays. Go to www.bsbwstpatricksparade.com for more parade info.