The luck of the Irish is in full swing in the Rockaways today for the 39th Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
The parade, which has draws crowds of close to 50,000 people in the past, features marching bands, bagpipes, policemen on horseback and fire trucks.
Some city officials joined Queens residents for the celebration of Irish heritage, saying that the parade is both a celebration of Irish heritage and the strength of the community.
“It’s great to be Irish in New York today,” said City Comptroller Scott Stringer. “It’s especially good to be here in the Rockaways, to let people know that rebuilding continues, that nobody’s forgetting this great part of New York, and I love to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the people of this community who are rebuilding our boardwalk and homes, and today, we celebrate the great Irish community of New York.”
“All the schools come by, and bagpipes walking by and all the music, the fire trucks, and the whole neighborhood comes out,” said one person in attendance. “It’s nice.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio is not in attendance.
He had said that he would not march in the parade because of the ban prohibiting gay organizations from taking part.
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via Great Local News: New York http://ift.tt/1iZiLP1
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