Wading River, NY - March 16, 2015 - On March 8, 2015, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone attended the Friends of St. Patrick Annual Dinner at East Wind Caterers. They were joined by other elected officials in recognizing the organization’s president, John Barchi, crowning Parade Queen Jaclyn Grennan and her Ladies-in-Waiting Jaclyn Pearson and Tara Sanders, and honoring this year’s parade Grand Marshal, Michael Tatilian.
“The St. Patrick’s day dinner is always a special treat to attend. I greatly appreciate the many volunteers who work so hard throughout the year,” said Legislator Anker.
In 1950, local businessman John M. Sullivan and George Faulkner formed the Friends of Saint Patrick. The group pledged to provide the community with an opportunity to reconnect with friends and neighbors after the long winter they endured. The first parade occurred on March 11, 1951 and followed the same three mile route it follows today along 25A from Miller Place to Broadway in Rocky Point.