St. Patrick's Day festivities began early in Mineola and Garden City with the annual parade held on Sunday, March 8. Despite the cold and the heavy rainfall, Irish Americans and area residents who feel themselves honorary Irishmen in the month of March, all turned out to celebrate the memory of Ireland's patron saint, Patrick and Irish cultural history. Fire departments, police departments, and schools from all over Nassau County paraded north on Franklin Avenue to Old Country Road where members of the Irish American Society and local politicians, all waited on the Nassau County Recreation and Parks Department bandstand.

Green was the color of the day, despite the grey skies, as even umbrellas in green and white became symbols of Irish pride. Street vendors sold dolls, hats, banners, and balloons to the children braving the weather in the spirit of their Irish ancestors who braved inconceivable perils and still maintained a cultural atmosphere of good humor and fun. It was also an opportunity for the community to salute the heroes of the local police forces and fire departments who risk their own personal safety to protect their neighbors.

Events such as this help bring the community together and build the mood for St. Patrick's Day.