By Liz Leamy
The feeling of joy and serendipity was everywhere as hundreds of people from the community and beyond gathered to celebrate the 49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Sunday.
This highly anticipated annual event, organized every year by the Greenwich Hibernian Association since 1976, kicked off in its signature electric fashion at Greenwich Town Hall on Field Point Road at 2pm where participants met to then traverse onto West Putnam Avenue and then head down Greenwich Avenue.
“It’s a great event and I love being part of it,” said Tina Courpas of Greenwich, the Connecticut State Representative for the 149th District who marched in the parade with numerous other area political figureheads, including First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectman Lauren Rabin, SelectPerson Janet Stone McGuigan, Tax Collector Heather Smeriglio and Town Clerk Jackie Budkins, among others. “Today was a day to really celebrate being Irish and the fact that we have a parade of this scale is amazing. It says so much about the town and everyone here.”
Courpas further elaborated on the significance of the parade.
“The fact that we have a parade of this scale is fantastic,” said Courpas. “So many people come out and you see so many of your friends, many of who you might know from work, town, your children’s schools, philanthropy or politics and it’s just an amazing way to bring everyone together.”
By all accounts, it was a sight to see the scores of people lined up along the sidewalks and parked in tailgate style on the illustrious ‘Avenue’ and its surrounding roads as they enthusiastically clapped and cheered on the participants of this year’s parade, designating this event as truly heartwarming and moving in all regards.
“Being here and being part of the St. Patrick’s Day celebration is all about camaraderie, fun and just being part of the community,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley of Greenwich who is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Metro New York Chapter and who, over the years, has participated in nearly two dozen Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to date. “Today was just beautiful. It’s been a magnificent, sunny and bright day and it was just a really great time being here today. Everything about it was fantastic.”
Meanwhile, this year’s town parade featured a police motorcycle motorcade of more than 50 officers hailing from all over the tri-state area, numerous pipe and marching bands, local and state political figureheads and members of such organizations as the Greenwich Police Department, Greenwich Fire Department, American Red Cross Metro New York Chapter, Rotary Club of Greenwich, Girl and Boy Scouts of Greenwich, Pyramid Shriners in support of the Shriner’s Children’s New England organization and so many other area groups, who, in tandem with the crowd, celebrated and honored the joy and spirit of St. Patrick’s Day in such a stirring manner.
“It’s always great to come here and be part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Ted Rappa of Milford, Connecticut, a member of the Fairfield Gaelic Pipe Band who has been participating in this event for nearly 20 years running. “This is such a nice, lovely town and it’s always nice to see the crowd. It’s always so well attended and it’s great to see everyone here.”
Others there agreed.
“I’ve done the Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade for pretty close to 40 years on and off and always enjoy being part of it,” said Gene Halliwell of Stratford, Connecticut, Past President of the Shriners Motor Brigade, who was there with the Pyramid Shriners for the Shriners Children’s New England organization that helps fund medical expenses for qualified individuals up to age 22. “The people are always so appreciative.”
This year’s parade, meanwhile, was led in spirited style by its Grand Marshal, Father Richard Murphy, the Greenwich Police Chaplain who hails from Stamford.
