Organizers are gearing up for the only St. Patrick's Day parade to be held in the Town of Oyster Bay. The 9th annual Bethpage St. Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 5.

Following 1 p.m. Mass at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, on Central Avenue in Bethpage, the procession will begin outside the church at 2 p.m. The parade's Grand Marshal will be Chief John R. Sullivan of the Bethpage Fire Department.

"It's a tribute to all immigrant roots," said Mary McCaffery, president of the Bethpage St. Patrick's Parade Committee, describing the goal of the parade in an interview this week. "And this year, it's to honor John Sullivan. And in honoring him, we are honoring all volunteer firemen for their bravery and the sacrifice they and their families make."

The Bethpage St. Patrick's Day parade was initiated less than ten years ago as a simple march through the community to honor Bethpage resident Connie Doolan's appointment as grand marshal of the 1992 New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. Today, the event is organized by a committee of about 15 people and enjoys widespread community support. After several years of steady growth, this year, the parade has more recognition from sponsors, and more marching units, than ever before. For example, the Mid-Island Irish American Society Band, which in years past had marched in the Garden City St. Patrick's Day Parade, is marching for the first time in the Bethpage Parade instead.

The procession through the streets of downtown Bethpage will feature over 500 marchers, including the following groups: Ancient Order of Hibernians; Tara Bagpipe Band of Massapequa; Wantagh American Legion Pipes and Drums; Amityville Highland Pipe Band, sponsored by the Bank of New York; Saffron Kilts, sponsored by Cablevision; Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Band, sponsored by Guinness; the Mid-Island Irish American Society Band, and New York Fire Department Emerald Society Band, sponsored by the Bethpage Fire Department. Also expected are historical marching units, a canine brigade, Nassau County Mounted Police, community and veterans organizations and antique autos.

Following the parade, a reception will be held at LaSalle Regional School, and will include entertainment by the Banjo Rascals from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and by Gabe Hickey and Patrick Donoghue from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Food will be provided by B.K. Sweeney's and the Parade Kitchen Staff. Tickets for the reception can be obtained at the door at a cost of $5 each. "What's particularly important about the reception is that it's one of the few family events that you can go to, and bring your kids," said McCaffery.

It costs several thousands of dollars to conduct the event, and it is paid for by donations from over 20 local businesses and an annual golf outing fundraiser. Small business owners in Bethpage are the major source of contributions, noted McCaffery, and they each receive a shamrock to place in their window to mark their support.

Although St. Patrick's Day is traditionally regarded as a holiday for the Irish, McCaffery said the Bethpage St. Patrick's Parade Committee is trying to draw other nationalities into the festivities by inviting them to march and display their flags.

"Really, Bethpage is a multi-cultural community. The Irish kicked off this parade because of Connie Doolan, but now let's make it more representative," she said. "The goal is to make the parade a tribute to all our ancestor roots - to show the diversity of the communities."