February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Before the parade there will be a pre-parade concert at the Irish Arts Center in Manhattan on Friday night, Feb. 29.
What will be the 9th annual “St. Pat’s For All Parade” will begin at 43rd & Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside at 1. 30 p.m. and wind its way to 61st and Woodside.
The parade is the only march in the New york area that includes gay marching contingents.
The 2008 grand marshals Quinn and Hamill will be presented with parade sashes at the Friday night concert at the Arts Center, 553 W.51st Street.
The concert features Malachy McCourt, stand up comedy with Fiona Walsh, Caroline Duggan & the Keltic Dream Dancers from PS 59, The popular Niall O’Leary school dancers are also no the bill.
Musicians from Ireland include Brian Fleming, Gwenn Frinn and Sean Millar. Donation is $35 and tickets are available from smarttix.com
“We celebrate Irish heritage and culture. Whether fleeing poverty or in the pursuit of dreams the Irish Diaspora have scattered to all corners of the globe,” said parade co-chair and founder, Brendan Fay.
“So we gather on March 2nd in Queens as diverse communities of New Yorkers to celebrate Ireland. Whether Latino, West Indian, Choctaw, Protestant, Catholic, jew gay or straight, the Irish story bring us together,” said Fay.
“We are especially proud to honor Pete Hamill and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn,” said Fay.
“When Speaker Quinn, who speaks proudly of her Irish heritage and is openly gay, marches in the St. Patrick’s parades throughout the city she open doors. She challenges years of exclusion and ignorance. She is a real bridge builder,” said Fay.
Sunday’s parade will also honor IPEC, the Irish Parades Emergency Committee which was founded ten years ago by New Yorkers who used their vacations to travel and monitor parades in Northern Ireland.
A number of area politicians have been invited to march and they include Congressman Anthony Weiner, New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson, Assembly Member Jose Peralta, and many New York City Council members.
Parade sponsors comes from businesses, unions and labor leaders, including Commerce Bank, Local 1199, United Federation of Teachers, Local 375/DC 37, and from Lavender & Green Alliance, The Irish Arts Center and the Catholic group, Dignity/NY.
“I feel privileged to be part of the Sunnyside-Woodside St. Pat’s for All Parade, a celebration that embraces every person and honors our amazing heritage,” said parade co-chair, Kathleen Walsh D’Arcy.
“As a Queens resident, I attended many of the parades and, last year, decided to actively support this great parade as organizer. Children are the stars of this parade, dancing, singing and celebrating the March season of Irish pride.”
“Our parade also casts light on forgotten corners of Irish history and heritage,” added Fay.
We have banners honoring Irish justice and peace pioneers, St. Brigid, St. Patrick, Dan and Phil Berrigan and Mother Jones. New banners this year will honor the memory of Frank Durkan and Fr. Mychal Judge. We welcome Hibernians, parishes, individuals with their county or community banners,” Fay said.
Information and registration details for the parade are available at
www.stapstsforall.com or call (718)721-2780.