Irish eyes smile in Ronkonkoma
The St. Regis Council Knights of Columbus leads the 21st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade down Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma (March 13, 2011) Credit: Kaitlynn Mannino
Adriana Martin, 5, could hardly sit still on her father’s shoulders as she eagerly pointed to every bagpiper, drummer and trumpeter who marched by on Hawkins Avenue at the Ronkonkoma St. Patrick’s Day parade.
“The cheerleaders were her favorite,” said Adriana’s father, Steven Martin, 29, of Lake Ronkonkoma, referring to the cheerleaders who chanted and rustled blue-and-white pom-poms as they walked by.
The 21st annual parade marched from Patchogue-Holbrook and Portion roads in Ronkonkoma down Hawkins Avenue, led by the St. Regis Council Knights of Columbus, the sponsors of the parade.
This year’s grand marshal, former New York Sen. Caesar Trunzo, rode in a candy-apple red Corvette as he waved to the crowd.
Anthony Cassidy, 10, along with his friends and parents, sat on the curb as blaring firetrucks from the Lakeland Fire Department and ambulances drove by.
“He was so excited because he knew the firefighters and police cars would all be here,” said his mother, Laura Cassidy, 41, of Holbrook.
And much to Anthony’s delight, a firefighter honked the truck’s horn just as he rolled past.
“I love the horn,” he said.
Photo: The St. Regis Council Knights of Columbus leads the 21st annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma. (March 13, 2011)
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.
