On Sunday, March 16, the mist in the air of Glen Cove was like a day in Ireland. Well, perhaps the mist was more of a dampness and less the poetic vocabulary of the Emerald Isle when the community came out to celebrate its Irish heritage in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. In any event, there was no sun, but, as the luck of the Irish would have it, the rain held out until the last of the paraders had passed the reviewing stand and was heading down to Page One Restaurant for corned beef and cabbage, and perhaps a pint or two of Guinness.

Not that the weather discouraged folks from marching and cheering on the marchers from the sidelines. Grand Marshal John Canning, looking dapper in mourning coat and top hat was followed by Aides to the Grand Marshal Jeffrey Moore and Marylin Johnson, he in debonair top hat and tails and she in splendid green.

Sounds of pipe and drum bands and marching brass bands rang through the air. Elected officials and dignitaries, and civic, fraternal and youth organizations carried themselves and their banners proudly, all with a wee bit of green interspersed amid their traditional colors. Representatives of the Glen Cove Senior Center and some of the assisted living facilities in the city marched or waved from buses. Cultural organizations included those from the Hispanic and Chinese communities. Fire and EMS departments from Glen Cove and neighboring houses sent men, women and trucks for a streetlong display of lights and color, albeit red, for the most part. The Road Runners Club and the Gold Coast Cruisers honked their classic horns, motorcycles revved their engines and 4-wheel drive vehicles with tires larger than a VW Bug burned some rubber.

The parade was sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mike Moran Division 8 and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians; both groups boasted a grand number of marchers, smiling ear-to-ear. Hibernian Paul Long, usually found hoisting the AOH banner, did a masterful job as emcee, stepping in for the customary emcee, this year's grand marshal.

The AOH and LAOH wish to thank parade sponsors Anton Community Newspapers, Downtown Café, Land Rover @ Glen Cove, Sunrise Senior Living and Wamu Whoo Hoo! for their support.

In all, it was another day in Glen Cove of celebration of camaraderie, of culture and of community spirit in a city that just loves to celebrate its own. Slan go foill until next St. Patrick's Day!