Wallkill to wear the green

Posted 3/13/19

The luck of the Irish will abound on Sunday, March 17 at Wallkill’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Shamble 5K.“It started off with a bunch of town people blowing …

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Wallkill to wear the green

Posted

The luck of the Irish will abound on Sunday, March 17 at Wallkill’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Shamrock Shamble 5K.

“It started off with a bunch of town people blowing kazoos and walking the streets, and now its grown to 11 bands and more than 40 participants,” chair of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Ellyn Riggins said.

Founded 34 years ago, the parade has grown to include local businesses, girl scouts, boy scouts, fire companies, bands, school groups, athletic leagues and more.

Riggins said the annual event brings the whole community together for a day of family fun.

“It’s a fun day to celebrate St Patrick’s day, where everyone is Irish,” Riggins said.

Local businesses, who host their own parties throughout the day, will benefit with more visitors in the town.

The annual Wallkill Shamrock Shamble 5K will take place in the morning. Call times are from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; walkers start at 8:30 a.m., runners start at 9:30 a.m., and the kids run starts at 10:30 a.m. Awards and cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers. Proceeds benefit various organizations in the community.

Vision of Wallkill, a community revitalization group, is hosting a “Get Your Green on Wallkill!” campaign as a lead up to the event. Residents and businesses are encouraged to decorate their homes and storefronts with St. Patrick’s Day garb as a way to show community spirit.

Grand Marshal for 2019 is Bob Garrison of Wallkill. The Saint Patrick’s Committee will honor him on Saturday, with a special dinner at Nu CAVU on Plains Road in Wallkill. Time is 6 p.m. and the cost is $35 per person which includes a buffet dinner and dessert. There will be a cash bar. Reservations can be made by calling 845-625-7877 or 845-913-5389.

The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the Wallkill Middle School and the Shamrock Shamble begins at the Wallkill Fire Department, 18 Central Ave, Wallkill. To register for the Shamrock Shamble, visit wallkillshamrockshamble.com.