St. Patrick’s Day

Great American Irish Festival grand marshal reception to be held at The Stanley

The Great American Irish Festival grand marshal reception kicks off March 12at the Stanley Theater.

The public is invited to the Great American Irish Festival grand marshal reception to be held on Tuesday, March 12, at the Stanley Theater from 6-9 p.m.

This annual event encompasses the passing of the Shillelagh from last year’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Judy Weeks to this year’s marshal, John Sullivan. The grand marshal is honored with the privilege of leading the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.

Sullivan’s company, John Sullivan and Son Construction Company, Inc., is the general contractor for the 21,000 square foot Irish Cultural Center being completed in Utica’s Brewery District. Over the years, he has been involved in a number of volunteer activities including the chairperson of Mother Marianne’s West Side Soup Kitchen, member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Perpetual Adoration at St. Joseph-St. Patrick’s Church. He has built three Catholic projects in Utica: the structural tribute to Mother Marianne on Schuyler Street, and the Adoration Chapel and Begger’s Shrine, both at St. Joseph-St. Patrick’s Church, where he teaches confirmation classes. His volunteer activities in the local sports scene have encompassed coaching Pop Warner Football and being the treasurer of Whitesboro Youth Hockey. He is married to the former Debbie Zaino.

Admission is $20 at the door and will include light fare from area restaurants along with beer and wine. Irish entertainment will be provided by Craobh Dugan.

One of the oldest and largest Saint Patrick’s Day parades in New York state, the Utica parade will take place Saturday, March 16 at 10 a.m. along Genesee Street in Utica. This year’s parade will include more than 120 marching units consisting of pipe bands (The Mohawk Valley Frasers, Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band, Emerald City Pipe Band and the Finger Lakes Pipe

Band), fire departments, radio and television stations, not-for-profits, business groups and politi- cians. Returning this year to the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the “Mad Mile,” a one mile running race which will immediately precede the parade down Genesee Street.

There will also be a nonperishable food collection along the parade route to benefit Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen.

For further information, visit www.greatamericanirishfest.com or the Great American Irish Festival Facebook page under “events”.

PHOTOS COURTESY GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL The 2018St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Utica.

The 2018St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Utica.

PHOTO COURTESY THE GREAT AMERICAN IRISH FESTIVAL The 2018St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Judy Weeks, center.