Video: St. Patty’s pride in Kings Park

Standing on a brick wall looking out at Main Street in Kings Park, spectators could see bright red fire trucks and shining instruments press through a sea of green. An assortment of Irish jigs, hip-hop and cadence filled the air.

Hundreds of residents turned out Saturday for the first annual St. Patrick Day Parade, just as expected by Kevin Denis, 57, the professor of Professor’s Diner on Indian Head Road.

Denis spearheaded the event. He said the idea came to him when was thinking about all of the revenue his business generates by serving corned beef and cabbage around St. Patrick’s Day, and it seemed odd for a town to love the holiday so much and not have a parade.

Denis said he and a committee of roughly 40 people held a meeting in December to begin planning for the event. The parade, which kicked off from Celtic Crossings on Lou Avenue, featured the Kings Park Fire Department, 10 pipe bands, a D.J. and various other Kings Park organizations.

“I’m extremely proud to be from Kings Park today,” said Denis’ 34-year-old daughter, Desarae. 

Photo: The St. Patrick's Day Parade in Kings Park. (March 5, 2011)