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Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Committee Hosts Grand Marshal Gala Fundraiser Honoring Peter King

lindenhurst st. patrick's
RJ Renna, Lindenhurst Village Trustee, Rosemary King, Former U.S. Congressman Peter King, David Crowe, Owner or Belfast Gastropub in Lindenhurst, Suffolk County Leg District 14 Kevin McCaffrey, and Katie Schrader. (Photo by Ed Shin)

The Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Committee hosted a “Green Tie” Grand Marshal’s Gala fundraiser to honor its First Parade Grand Marshal, Former U.S. Congressman Peter King, on Saturday, March 5. The lively event, held at Chateau La Mer, was attended by elected officials and dignitaries, parade sponsors, and local supporters.

The Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade, to be held on March 26, will be the first St. Patrick’s Parade in the almost 100-year history of the village. The new event was conceived by Parade Committee Co-Presidents David Crowe, proprietor of Lindenhurst’s Belfast Gastropub, and Lindenhurst Village Trustee RJ Renna. Joining them on the committee are Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey and Committee Secretary Katie Schrader.

The Grand Marshal’s Gala began with an escort for King and his wife Rosemary into the event by the Lindenhurst Fire Department Color Guard and A.O.H. Division 2 Babylon Saffron United Pipe Band. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chancellor of the Lindenhurst Knights of Columbus Patrick Corcoran, and a prayer was offered from Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C.C. Monsignor Joseph DeGrocco. The Irish National Anthem and the U.S. National Anthem were both performed by the evening’s band, Gerry Finlay and The Cara Band. The crowd was then treated to a performance of traditional Irish step dancing by the Mise Eire Irish dancers.

Following, King was honored and recognized for his 14 terms of service in the United States House of Representatives, his invaluable service and support of the Lindenhurst Community over the years, especially in the challenging days during and after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy, and for his distinct role in helping to negotiate peace in Northern Ireland. Current U.S. Congressman Andrew Garbarino spoke about his predecessor, and NYS State Senator Phil Boyle, Suffolk County Legislator McCaffrey, and Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata all presented King with proclamations of honor and gratitude.

The Parade Committee then presented King with his official Grand Marshal honors – a traditional Irish Blackthorn walking stick, a Thomand Irish Crystal vase, and for both of the Kings, their official Grand Marshal and Grand “Marshalette” sashes!

Thanks to the support of sponsors, such as Belfast Gastropub, Danaher Wealth Management, Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce, LogicWebMedia, National Grid, and the Town of Babylon IDA, among many others, the First Annual Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade will see hundreds of Irish pipers, drummers, dancers, local firefighters, scouting troops, fraternal groups, community organizations, businesses, and elected officials march down Wellwood Avenue, through the beautiful, historic Lindenhurst Downtown Business District.

The parade will have an 11 a.m. start on March 26.  For more information, visit lindenhurststpatricksparade.org.

Image 2 Former U.S. Congressman Peter King with the Mise Eire Irish dancers
Former U.S. Congressman Peter King with the Mise Eire Irish dancers (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 3 Former U.S. Congressman Peter King Rosemary King and Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata
Former U.S. Congressman Peter King, Rosemary King and Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 4 Peter King Katie Schrader
Peter King & Katie Schrader (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 5 Tom Brennan Sr. Forner Mayor of Lindenhurst Tom Brennan Jr. Diane Brennan Antoinette Brennan
Tom Brennan Sr. Forner Mayor of Lindenhurst, Tom Brennan Jr. , Diane Brennan, and Antoinette Brennan (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 6 Antoinette Brennan Tom Brennan
Antoinette Brennan and Tom Brennan (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 7 Kevin McCaffrey David Crowe Peter King
Kevin McCaffrey, David Crowe, and Peter King (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 8 Kevin McCaffrey Rosemary King Peter King
Kevin McCaffrey, Rosemary King, and Peter King (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 9 Kevin McCaffrey President of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce Joann Boettcher Alice Cromarti Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata
Kevin McCaffrey, President of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce Joann Boettcher, Alice Cromarti, and Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 10 Meg OConnell Katie Schrader Neil OConnell
Meg O’Connell, Katie Schrader, and Neil O’Connell (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 11 Andrew Garbarino Congressman for NYs 2nd Congressional District.
Andrew Garbarino, Congressman for NY’s 2nd Congressional District. (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 12 Andrew Garbarino President of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce Joann Boettcher
Andrew Garbarino and President of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce Joann Boettcher (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 13 Gerry Finlay and The Cara Band Lomax Lampel Gerry Finlay Ed O Brian Mick
Gerry Finlay and The Cara Band – Lomax Lampel, Gerry Finlay, Ed O, and Brian Mick (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 14 Monsignor Joseph DeGrocco
Monsignor Joseph DeGrocco (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 15 Guy Calla Kevin McCaffreys Chief of Staff Kevin McCaffrey David Crowe Peter King Joe Barone Lindenhurst Village Deputy Administrator
Guy Calla, Kevin McCaffrey’s Chief of Staff, Kevin McCaffrey, David Crowe, Peter King, and Joe Barone Lindenhurst Village Deputy Administrator (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 16 Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal’s Gala honoring Former U.S. Congressman Peter King
Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal’s Gala honoring Former U.S. Congressman Peter King (Photo by Ed Shin)
Image 17 Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal’s Gala honoring Former U.S. Congressman Peter King
Lindenhurst St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal’s Gala honoring Former U.S. Congressman Peter King (Photo by Ed Shin)

For more scene & seen event photos visit longislandpress.com/category/scene-seen.

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