Montauk resident and former Montauk School Board member Terry Watson will lead the 53rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade as this year’s Grand Marshal. The East End parade will take place on Sunday, March 22nd, starting at 11 a.m. Watson was chosen by the Montauk Friends of Erin for giving a lifetime of service to the students of the Montauk School.
The morning of the parade will kickoff with Montauk Chamber’s Famous Soup Sale at 10 a.m. Stop by for a tasty meal, which comes in the parade’s anniversary mugs. All soup is donated by local Montauk restaurants like Duryea’s Lobster Deck, Montauk Yacht Club, Gurney’s Sea Grille, Inlet Seafood, John’s Pancake House and Sole East.
Once again, the parade will focus on family-friendly floats and fun. Children of all ages are invited to come with their green face-paint on, grab a pair of foam shamrocks and shillelaghs and wave them in the air, while catching the lucky green beads and candy tossed from the festive featured floats. The Montauk march will also include bagpipe bands, represented from towns all over Long Island. The parade steps off at Edgemere Street, then heads right on South Edison Street and enters Main Street at the east end of town.
Leading up to the big event, Montauk’s Friends of Erin is hosting several benefits in support of the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The 10th Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner will take place on Saturday, March 14th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Point Bar & Grill (697 Montauk Highway, Montauk). Next up, is The Grand Marshal’s Luncheon on Friday March 20th from 12 to 3 p.m. at Gurney’s Inn (290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk). Join the East End community as they roast this year’s Grand Marshal, Terry Watson, and then present her with a parade sash, top hat and shillelagh.
The final St. Paddy’s Day party is the Friends of Erin Gala Cocktail Party on Saturday March 21st from 4 to 8 p.m. The event, which will also take place at Gurney’s, will feature a buffet, open bar, live music, and A Pot of Gold Raffle. The Gala is one of the main fundraisers for the Parade.
For more info, visit www.montaukfriendsoferin.org.