Just about every organization with ties to Mineola was represented in the Village of Mineola's Centennial Parade, held on Sunday, Oct. 22. The parade was one of the main events in the village's year-long centennial celebration and judging from the turnout, it was a success.

The parade kicked off at Wardwell Road and proceeded east on Jericho Turnpike. All the individuals and organizations that have given Mineola its rich tradition marched proudly as they wished the village a happy birthday.

The Grand Marshal for the parade was Beatrice Hubbard, a longtime Mineola resident and former Mineola schoolteacher who will be turning 100 herself this year.

Among some of the organizations that have been an important part of Mineola are the Mineola American Legion Post #349, VFW Adolph Block Post #1305, the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, the political organizations, churches, schools, heritage societies, marching bands and volunteer organizations such as the Mineola Fire Department, Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Mineola Auxiliary Police.

Mayor Jack M. Martins, Deputy Mayor Larry Werther and Trustee Linda Fairgrieve marched together. Although this newspaper didn't see Trustee Paul Cusato, he could have been marching with the Mineola Fire Department since he has been a longtime member of that organization. Trustee and Centennial Committee member John DaVanzo was riding with his fellow committee member Candi Maia and the other committee member and former Mineola Mayor Bob Hinck was also riding nearby. The committee did an excellent job of planning the parade, which was originally scheduled for Oct. 1, but was cancelled due to weather, and then re-planning it.

Guest dignitaries included Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who is from Mineola, Senator Michael Balboni, Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, Town of North Hempstead Clerk Michelle Schimel, Town of North Hempstead Councilman Angelo Ferrara, County Clerk Maureen O'Connell, Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, District Court Judge and former Mineola Deputy Mayor Scott Fairgrieve, former village trustee Elizabeth A.J. Conlon and former Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert.

It seemed as though the parade would never end as each of the participants marched along with the parade route, which was east on Jericho Turnpike, south on Roslyn Road to Westbury Avenue and then to Union Street, where the parade concluded. As each organization, came to the staging area, which was set up near the Hampton Street Stadium, where the PAL was playing football, they were announced by Jim Sherry, Senator Balboni's chief of staff and member of the Mineola Fire Department, as DJ Gerry Hanson, a graduate of Mineola High School, provided music, free of charge, of course.

Along the parade route, residents gathered on the side of the roads and sidewalks and applauded in celebration of their village's birthday.

Following the parade, a carnival was held at the Wilson Park parking field, which culminated with a fireworks display.

The last centennial event will be the Centennial Ball, scheduled for Nov. 17 at the Jericho Terrace. Call 746-0750 ext. 260 for tickets.