St. Patrick’s Day to make its Main Street return

Sam Desmond

Posted 1/27/22

The much-loved, honored tradition of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, hosted by the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber, is slated to make a return after two years of pandemic hiatus on Sunday, March 13 at …

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St. Patrick’s Day to make its Main Street return

Posted Thursday, January 27, 2022 12:00 am

Five fun facts about Matt McGuire

Celebrating the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce’s 30th anniversary of their beloved and popular St. Patrick’s Parade required a grand marshal with strong roots to the parade’s tradition.

The chamber found that in Matt McGuire. Here are some facts about the 2020 St. Pat’s Parade grand marshal:

1. Retired NYPD officer who served as a sergeant in Brooklyn (Coney Island) and lieutenant in Queens (Queens Village).

2. Started with the BBP Little League in 2004 as a coach for his young children and is currently on the board of directors for the organization that has more than 500 kids enrolled.

3. Fell in love with Blue Point in 1994 after taking a drive out to the area. Before McGuire moved into his home in the summer of 1994, he and his wife attended the fourth annual St. Pat’s Parade and were welcomed with open arms by local attendees.

4. Was completely surprised and honored to be asked to be grand marshal. Former president Lenore Ringer-Prezioso and current treasurer Seth Needelman asked McGuire about taking on the prestigious role, fittingly, at a Little League game.

5. Is never leaving Blue Point. According to McGuire, “What more could you ask for? It’s a perfect South Shore town where neighbors are always there for you in the good times and the bad.”

Sam Desmond

The much-loved, honored tradition of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, hosted by the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber, is slated to make a return after two years of pandemic hiatus on Sunday, March 13 at 11 a.m.

The grand marshal will be Matt McGuire, who was originally to serve in the 2020 parade that was canceled only three days before taking place.

The event is also meant to celebrate the life and influence of Tom Reid, publisher of beloved, good-time local paper, The Bayport-Blue Point Gazette, which started as the Irish Gazette, the single revenue source of the parade.

“Tom was an unbelievable force in the community and his influence lives on,” said Lenore Prezioso, who is the director of the parade for the BBP Chamber and former grand marshal.

With pipe bands, local Girl and Boy Scout troops, chamber members, and fire departments contacted, the parade is shaping up to be a roaring comeback after two years of being shuttered by COVID-19.

“On the first day of signup, I got nine applications,” said Prezioso.

Local community members have celebrated the event for over 30 years, with many hosting parties and get-togethers the day of the parade.