Montauk's 56th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Delights: Photos

MONTAUK, NY — Kathleen Keller received the ultimate "Thank you!" from the Montauk Friends of Erin on Sunday, as she led their 56th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade as grand marshal.

Not only has she served as MFOE's secretary, a member of their Ladies Auxiliary, and parade organizer, but she is following a Keller family tradition. Her father Gil Keller was grand marshal in 1969, and her brother Pat followed in 2007.

East End fire department trucks, floats by local charitable organizations and businesses, police departments, local dignitaries, and huge, cheering crowds of Irish and Irish-for-the-day celebrated.

As always, Rick White was master of ceremonies as the parade marched by the reviewing stand in front of the judges.

Irish eyes were smiling all day as what's called the second largest St. Paddy's parade in New York State unfolded.

Highlights of the event included the Montauk Chamber of Commerce ladling out hot soup for sale in parade commemorative mugs.

"Generations and thousands of Montaukers, East Enders and visitors, young and old, have been cheering on the family-friendly floats for more than half a century," said Laraine Creegan, executive director of the Montauk Chamber of Commerce.

Three Friends of Erin events led up to the big parade, including the 15th Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, the Behan's Grand Marshal Luncheon, where the Grand Marshal is introduced, roasted and presented with the parade sash, top hat and shillelagh, and the Gala Cocktail Party at Gurney's Montauk.

During the parade, kids enjoyed green face-painting, grabbing foam shamrocks and shillelaghs, and collecting lucky beads and candy tossed from the floats of hometown businesses and fire trucks. Long Island bagpipe bands marched in the parade, which started on Edgemere Street, to South Edison Street and entered Main Street at the east end of town.

A variety of hot soups were donated by Montauk restaurants for the soup sale including Montauk Yacht Club, Naturally Good, Inlet Seafood Restaurant and many more.

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

Reporting by Richard Lewin.