Paul Monte Named Grand Marshal for Montauk's 52nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

Irish eyes were smiling Friday as news spread that Paul Monte had been named Grand Marshal of Montauk's 52nd Annual St. Patrick's Day parade, to be held on Sunday, March 23.

Monte is president of the Montauk Chamber Of Commerce.

“I am thrilled that our Chamber president is Grand Marshal this year. Paul loves our community and demonstrates this through all the things he does for Montauk. The Friends of Erin could not have made a better selection for this honor in leading the parade," Executive Director of the Montauk Chamber Laraine Creegan said.

For sale on the morning of the much-beloved event are anniversary mugs, featured at Montauk Chamber's Soup Sale; the mugs go on sale at 10 a.m., with soup to follow at 11 a.m. Soups are donated from Montauk restaurants including Duryea's Lobster Deck, Montauk Yacht Club, Gurney’s Sea Grille, Inlet Seafood, John’s Pancake House and Sole East.

The parade in 2014 will focus on family-friendly floats and activities, including green face painting for kids, foam shamrocks and shillelaghs, and beads and candy tossed from floats created by local businesses and fire trucks.

 Bagpipe bands representing towns from all over Long Island will also march. The parade will run up Edgemere Street, then right on South Edison St and then enters Main Street at the east end of town.

A number of events will lead up to Parade Day, including the 10th Annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, hosted by Montauk's Friends of Erin at the Point Bar & Grill on Saturday, March 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

The evening will include music, raffles and prizes. The Grand Marshal's Luncheon will be held on Friday, March 21 at Gurney's Inn, from noon to 3:00 p.m.

The event will include the official introduction of the Grand Marshal, a roast, and then the presentation of the parade sash, top hat, and shillelagh. 

The Friends of Erin Gala Cocktail Party will be held on Saturday, March 22, also at Gurney's, from 4 to 8 p.m., and will feature a buffet, open bar and live music. Pot of Gold Raffle winners will also be drawn — the party is one of the major fundraising events for the annual parade.

For tickets and info, click here. 

For Facebook updates on the parade, click here.