Photos: Montauk's 55th Annual Friends of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade Delights

EAST HAMPTON, NY — The rain that fell upon the 55th Annual Montauk Friends of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade on Sunday didn't stand a chance of dampening anyone's spirits.

Crowds cheered on a procession of regional fire departments, police departments and pipe bands that paraded with local businesses, charitable organizations, politicians, educators and community groups.

Irish eyes were smiling as the event honored Grand Marshal Eddie Ecker of Montauk, the 55th person to claim the title; he follows in the footsteps of his father, Edward Ecker, Sr., who served as grand marshal in 1984, and his mother Frances Ecker, who held the coveted title in 2009.

Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography, soniboy@aol.com.

Reporting by Richard Lewin.