No St. Patricks Day Parade In Pearl River In 2021

PEARL RIVER, NY — The coronavirus has canceled the St. Patrick's Day parade in Rockland County for a second year, a decision that the members of the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee said was not easy.

Postponing just wouldn't work, they said in the announcement. "To plan effectively, we need a feasible date on which we could hold a parade; today we simply have no date that we could in good faith and confidence plan around."

The parade in Pearl River, second largest in New York state, draws more than 50,000 people annually. The decision to postpone was due to ongoing limitations on social gatherings.

The Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians regretted another year-long delay in celebrating the honorees and acknowledged how hard it would be on local businesses as well as on families and friends weary after a year of isolation.

Sadly, members of the committee said on the website, this year would have been a time to remember the many people lost to the insidious disease including Rich Lenihan.

"Rich, a longtime member of AOH Division 3 in Pearl River, was to have been an Aide to the Grand Marshal in 2020, but never had the opportunity to march. We have lost many people in our community, and many with a particularly strong connection to this Parade. In their memory, we dedicate ourselves to 'march again,' but must now take every precaution not to lose others."

The 58th Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade is now scheduled to be held March 20, 2022.

Meanwhile, they asked that the numerous contributions made by countless Irish men and women and their descendants not go unrecognized.

"We remind our state and local officials, the media, and particularly our schools that March is 'Irish American Heritage Month,' proclaimed by U.S. Presidents of both parties since 1991," they said. "Our Presidents have called on 'all Americans to celebrate the achievements of Irish Americans and their contributions to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.' Since the Irish American community has been asked to forego their traditional celebrations out of respect for the general welfare, we respectfully ask our elected and educational leaders to step up and answer the presidents call this year and ensure that the contributions of Commodore Barry, Mother Jones, and particularly all the Irish Americans who wear green every day on their graves in service to America do not go unrecognized."