Community Corner

2022 Jamesport St. Patrick's Day Parade Draws Happy Crowd: Photos

Tribute was also paid to NYPD Det. Brian "Smiles" Simonsen in his hometown.

JAMESPORT, NY — Irish eyes were smiling Saturday in Jamesport as the 2022 St. Patrick's Day parade kicked off — and ended just moments before rain began to fall.

The parade, presented by the East End Emerald Society, headed from North Railroad Avenue and Washington Avenue to the Jamesport Fire Department.

The much-anticipated event drew a green-clad crowd who turned out to cheer on the bagpipers, floats, step dancers, muscle cars and horses — and get their Irish on.

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Riverhead's Community Development Director Dawn Thomas was this year's grand marshal.

This year, the Simonsen Foundation took part, honoring NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen in his hometown. Det. Simonsen died in a February 2019 hold up of a mobile phone store.
Simonsen grew up in Jamesport and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1995. He later moved to Calverton where he lived with his wife Leanne. Simonsen was well known for his warm personality and his ability to put a smile on anyone's face, all who knew him have said.

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"We are so very excited to be a part of this small town with the biggest heart's tradition," the Simonsen Foundation said. "It is only fitting that our first parade is in Jamesport as this town loves Brian almost as much as he loved it."

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