It’s that time of year again, when folks from across several South Fork hamlets band together to celebrate all things Irish in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Although the holiday honoring the Emerald Isle’s patron saint officially falls on Monday, March 17, folks from across the East End will be celebrating all month long via parades, concerts, food and drink specials, movie screenings and much more.
It’s an unofficial rule that on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone’s Irish. For centuries now, people celebrate Ireland’s patron saint by wearing green, decorating with shamrocks and drinking beer. In addition to all that, here on the East End, we sure do love a parade.
From Montauk to Westhampton Beach, South Fork hamlets are gearing up and getting their “Erin Go Bragh” going, as they prepare for their respective Paddy’s Day parades. Here’s where you can catch locals marching for the Emerald Isle, all month long, with maybe a pint, or two in-between.
Bridgehampton
Chef Brian Collins is at the Nathaniel Rogers House (2539 Montauk Highway, and part of the Bridgehampton Museum) this Friday, March 14, with the focus on an authentic St. Patrick’s Day dinner sampling! Try mussels with Irish cider, colcannon, roast chicken with Cumberland sauce, roast lamb, and chocolate Guinness bread pudding. Starting at 6 p.m., Collins will serve the meal and discuss traditional Irish cooking and how it changed when the Irish came to America. Space is limited so RSVP today. $20 per person.
Westhampton Beach
The Westhampton Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade is this Saturday, March 15, beginning at noon. Lifelong Westhampton Beach resident Steve Frano will serve as this year’s grand marshal, and it’s safe to say he’s more than a good fit for the job. As the 57th person to lead the parade since its inception in 1968, Frano has served as a member of the hamlet’s fire department for 50 years, was the fire marshal for Southampton Town for 40 years and served as a village trustee for eight. A dedicated community fixture, he’s a former little league coach, has volunteered to teach fire safety at Westhampton Beach schools for many years and even played Santa during countless holiday seasons.
Kicking off from Mill Road, are the hamlet’s usual “Erin Go Bragh” parade suspects, including about a half a dozen bagpipe bands, several local fire departments and ambulance units, a handful of high school bands plus several handmade floats (including on made by the beloved Coneheads — the legendary group that finds a slick and spunky way to work politics, social issues and current events into their theme) and a procession of classic cars. To be in the parade, click here.
Immediately following the parade, there’s an after party under the big tent erected at Justin’s Chop Shop (71 Sunset Ave.) co-hosted by Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. In addition to the fabulous brews and bites provided by two of the hamlet’s top food and drink spots, there’ll be live music by Southpawz Trio. Fun is expected to run until around 4 p.m. $5 cover to attend.
Because it got rescheduled due to the close proximity to the brush fire happening in the Pine Barrens, the parade fundraiser (originally set for this past Saturday) is now rescheduled for March 29 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. (220 Rogers Way, Suite 1). There’ll be live music by the Church Lane Rockers, raffles and prizes, bagpipe playing and a cash bar. Tickets are $20 per person. The fundraiser is an age 21 and over event. For tickets, call 631-506-1437 or visit Lynne’s Cards & Gifts (137 Main St., Westhampton Beach).
Hampton Bays
It’s back, baby! After taking a break last year, the 18th annual Hampton Bays parade returns Saturday, March 22, hosted by the Hampton Bays Hibernians. The cherished community event starts at the American Legion Hall located on Ponquogue Avenue at 11 a.m. “We are thrilled to announce the Hampton Bays St. Patrick’s Day Parade is returning bigger and better than ever,” says the parade’s organizers. “Our committee is hard at work planning an unforgettable celebration of Irish heritage, community spirit and fun for all ages.
In addition to all the Paddy’s panache, Joe Fellingham will serve as this year’s grand marshal.
On Sunday, March 16, don’t miss a concert from Fiddler’s Green, as they perform traditional music of Ireland and American in an acoustic style. Co-hosted by the Friends of the Hampton Bays Public Library (52 Ponquogue Ave.), the concert starts at 2 p.m. and is recommended for those ages 18 and up.
Sag Harbor
On St. Patrick’s Day proper (Monday, March 17), from 1 to 3 p.m., Cormaria Retreat Center (77 Bay St.) invites all to put on their best emerald green and join in for a festive afternoon enjoying a hearty traditional Irish family luncheon. Entertainment provided by the popular East End trio, Whatever Lola Wants. Admission is $40 per person, all to benefit the longstanding retreat center’s mission. Reservations and advanced payment are required. Call 631-725-4206 or email [email protected].
Amagansett
The annual Am’O-Gansett parade, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the tiny but mighty hamlet’s very own march in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, is described as the “world’s shortest parade” by the Amagansett Chamber of Commerce. This year, the parade starts at noon on Saturday, March 22, on Main Street at the municipal parking lot, concluding at the Stephen Talkhouse.
Rowdy Hall (177 Main St.) in Amagansett will be featuring an Irish-themed prix fixe plus drink specials in honor of the holiday. For $35, diners are welcome on March 17 to choose an appetizer and entrée or an entrée and dessert. Items include potato leek soup, corned beef and cabbage with carrots, potatoes and mustard, bangers and mash, Irish soda bread and chocolate banana Irish whiskey cake with butter cream. On Saturday, March 22 (the day of the Am-O’Gansett parade) and Sunday, March 30, there’ll be St. Paddy’s Day themed a la carte specials including corned beef and cabbage and potato leek soup.
Beverage specials will include Guinness Irish Stout with a shot of J.J. Corry’s elegant Irish whiskey, “The Hanson,” as a J.J. Corry’s Swift Half for $12. PS — This is the only all-female Irish whiskey company in existence, so the timing really couldn’t be better.
Montauk
The 63rd annual Montauk St. Patrick’s Day Parade, brought to us by the Montauk Friends of Erin, will be on Sunday, March 30, kicking off at noon on Edgemere Road. Led by this year’s grand marshal Joe Bloecker, (a Friends of Erin member for over 30 years), the parade consistently ranks as one of the largest in the state, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to The End and is one of the unofficial starts of the season for the East End.
