Bay Ridge’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought the community together on March 22 to celebrate Irish heritage.
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
March 22 marked the 31st annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day parade, in a vibrant celebration of the neighborhood’s deep-rooted Irish heritage.
The celebrations began with a 10 a.m. Mass at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Patrick. Parade Grand Marshal Kevin P. Abels — pastor of Our Lady of Angels, St. Anselm, and St. Andrew parishes in Bay Ridge — delivered the homily. After Mass, the Honorees and Parade Committee processed to a “wreath laying and blessing at the memorial stone commemorating the lives lost during the Easter Uprising of 1916, “a pivotal moment in the struggle for Irish independence. The parade officially stepped off at 1 p.m.
This year’s honorees included Maureen O’Malley Byrnes, Kathleen Conlon, Elaine Bown Delaney, Linda McDonagh, Kathleen Riordan, Jamie Farley, John Kane, Kevin Kelly, Mark Tuohy and Chris Puckhaber, named Honorary Irishman of the Year.
Father Kevin P. Abel served as Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Parade Director Richie O’Mara called the event “an undeniable success from start to finish.”
“Blessedly, an overcast day suddenly became sun-soaked, as the over 90 marching groups lined up to process down Third Avenue. Included in the marchers were 12 Bands, nine floats, three Irish Step Dance squads, three antique auto groups and many first responder units,” he said in a statement. “Many of the Bay Ridge Parade’s Honoree Alumni returned to participate, and the sideline crowds that lined the route were enormous, thanks to the spectacular weather and outstanding class of Honorees heading the Parade.”
The parade has been a neighborhood staple since 1993, founded by the owner of the former Fifth Avenue’s Leif Erickson Pub, Gene Reilly. Since then, the parade has stimulated local businesses, cultural groups and a committee dedicated to its future.
The Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Honorees for the 31st annual Bay Ridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Feedback from attendees and participants alike was overwhelmingly positive, O’Mara added.
“Smiles, banners, waves and cheers met all the groups as they processed down the Avenue. The energy was palpable and the march seemed to fly by for the participants,” he said. “The hardest working committee in the parade biz had done it again, delivering perhaps the most successful parade in memory.”
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta 
Photo by Arthur de Gaeta