Revelers adorned in green top hats, shamrock emblems, and other festive and verdant attire lined both sides of Main Street, as far as smiling Irish eyes could see. More than 1,000 spectators turned out for the 58th annual John P. Reilly St. Patrick’s Day Parade, presented by the Local Hibernians Inc., in East Islip. The parade was held on Sunday March 5. It was a picture-perfect day, which had more than a hint of spring in its Irish step.

The more than 90-minute procession began that afternoon from of East Islip Library and made its merry way to the aptly named Irish Lane. They kept the tradition of holding the popular parade on the first Sunday of March, in honor of the parade’s founder and chairman, John P. Reilly, who began this parade in 1966.

The Roisin Dubh Pipe Band, led by the parade’s grand marshal, Tom McHugh and the ladies aide to the grand marshal, Patricia Fitzpatrick, stepped off at 2 p.m. to begin the impressive promenade, traveling west along a bustling Main Street and passing by the grandstand at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. Islip Town supervisor Angie M. Carpenter was there, along with other elected officials and prominent members of the community, including Legis. Steven J. Flotteron, wearing a pair of shamrock trousers befitting the occasion.

The 1.35-mile parade route was a nonstop delight for spectators. In addition to the headlining pipe band, there were several other pipe bands, as well as Vietnam vets, local fire, police, and EMS departments, soccer leagues, school bands, Irish step dancers, and much more. Along with these organizations, this year’s parade featured floats for the first time, which brought even more participation and attendees to the parade.

This year’s grand marshal is Tom McHugh, and ladies aide to the grand marshal is Patty Fitzpatrick. Flotteron recognized the 2023 Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), Division 7 honorees, Thomas Joseph McHugh and Ladies (LAOH), Division 7 aide Patricia Alice Fitzpatrick, for the annual John P. Reilly Memorial St. Patrick’s Day Dinner/Sashing of Grand Marshals at Irish Coffee Pub in Islip.

McHugh became a member of the AOH Division 7, in 1993, joining the Division board with his cousin, past president and 2020 grand marshal, Tom Davis, in 2006. He has held every officer position, serving through his presidency in 2021, leading a membership expansion of the AOH throughout the challenging pandemic, and he remains active on the board as immediate past president. He joined the Roisin Dubh Pipe Band Color Guard in 2008, recently succeeding George Broschart, as the color guard captain, while chairing the band’s largest annual fundraiser, the Skip McCormick Memorial Horseshoe Tournament, for 14 years. In addition, he became editor of the Division 7 newsletter in September 2011 and engineered a transition to the electronic format. He was also recognized as Hibernian of the Year in 2018.

Fitzpatrick’s family has also had a long, illustrious history with the Hibernians. This year’s ladies aide’s father was the founding president of the East Islip Our Lady of Knock Division 7, and her uncles were charter members. Fitzpatrick served as the first Division 7 Junior Girls president and on the Hospitality Team and in the office of treasurer. She has served as recording secretary, vice president. and is currently president. This honoree also played a key role in creating the Irish Heritage Room at the East Islip Public Library.