The New Hyde Park Wildcats, held its 2nd Annual Parade, organized by Annette Giarratani, last Saturday to kickoff its 1998/1999 season. Most of the divisions were present as the parade stepped off from the New Hyde Park Village parking lot onto Jericho Turnpike. The youngsters then traveled north on New Hyde Park Road to Hillside Avenue, then east to Manor Oaks School where the formal ceremonies were held.

The rain held off and the weather was just rather raw and damp, but that didn't bother any of the marchers who stepped lively to the bands from the Hillside Grade School and the Manor Oaks School.

This year the Grand Marshal was Pat Fiston, the widow of former Wildcats President Robert Fiston, who died so suddenly last year. She had with her one of her daughters, Amy; her nephew Stephen and the Fiston's dog, Sam. (Fiston's other daughter, Elizabeth Ann, is a cadet at West Point.)

Members of the first Wildcats Board of Directors were also on hand including Jim and Marilyn Magyar, Ed O'Sullivan and Joe Wendling.

Dignitaries spotted in the line of march included: New York State Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli; Nassau County Executive, Thomas Gulotta; New Hyde Park resident, Legislator Richard Nicolello; North Hempstead Town Councilmen Anthony D'Urso and James O'Connor; New Hyde Park Village Mayor Warren Tackenberg, Trustees Frank Komornik and Florence Lisanti. Due to the death in his family New Hyde Park resident Chris Gomoka represented Councilman Angelo Ferrara.

Special recognition to the 3rd Precinct Sgt. John Meeter and the New Hyde Fire Department Chief John Tassiello for all their help in directing the traffic during the parade.

Special thanks to Anne Sawicki, Dominick Marrano, Mike Guescio, Rich Hess, Rich Bletsch, Joe Wendling, Mary Hess and her "sidekick" Nicole. Without the collaborative efforts of players, coaches, families and friends, the parade would never have "stepped" off.

In spite of the fact that there was a Long Island Junior Soccer League Convention for travel teams, this past weekend, we did have representatives from a few of the travel teams.

It was, once again, very gratifying to see so many marchers and spectators on the sidelines. Good luck to all of the Wildcats Soccer Spring Season Teams!