2019 Grand Marshal

The Wearin' of the Green, St. Patrick's Day Parade 2019 Grand Marshal, Father Mike Maroney, was introduced to the crowd by Parade Founder Pat Shingleton at the Halfway Day Celebration, which was held Friday, September 14, 2018. Father Mike, pastor at St. Alphonsus, hails from Ireland and returns there annually to his family home. He now owns his parent's home which is located in the country.  He considers himself more American than Irish since he has been stateside for over 40 years. Father Mike loves animals, especially dogs. He grew up owning, training and racing Greyhounds. When on vacation in Ireland over the years, when his parents were alive, they would go to the dog track on Friday nights. He says he still enjoys visiting the tracks. We welcome Father Mike to our Wearin' of the Green family.

This was the fourth year of the Halfway Bash which is put on by a group of friends who have been watching the parade from their Hundred Oaks homes for many years. The reason for the Halfway Bash was to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in addition to being at a great party! Key organizers of the event are Julie Laperouse and Nial Patel. The entire group was led by a bagpiper as the left The Merchant and walked to Ivars, then to Zippy's, Duvics and finally ending at The Merchant. Great on stage #rockband performance before and after the pub crawl.  Thanks to everyone who attended.

The Parade Group, LLC welcomes him as our 2019 Grand Marshal. Parade day will be March 16, 2019.