North Haven Resident Walter Nester to Lead St. Patrick's Day Parade

The following article was submitted by  Edward Donadio, Publicity Chairman for the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade.

On March 13, the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Parade Committee will stage the 55th annual celebration of its Irish American heritage. The centerpiece of this celebration is the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade that commences at 1:00 p.m. at Sherman Avenue and Chapel Street.

Walter J. Nester, Jr., a North Haven resident and last year’s Parade Chairman, will lead the parade as its Grand Marshal, He will be led by a color guard from the US Marine Corps, in recognition of Nester’s service as a US Marine Corps veteran.

Nester said: “It is indeed an overwhelming honor to serve as the Grand Marshal for the 2011 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day parade. The parade is an incredible celebration of Irish American pride. That has been the theme of the parade since 1842. But, it is more important than that, it is a wonderful family event that is enjoyed by thousand of people along the parade route. As someone born and raised in New Haven, I am excited and proud to be leading the parade, along with my family by my side, down Chapel Street."

Once again parade organizers expect over 300,000 spectators, making it the largest single-day spectator event in the state.

As the 6th oldest parade in the nation, its fame was recognized by the Library of Congress in 1999. 

This keepsake of New Haven’s Irish community became a national keepsake when the Library of Congress selected the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade as an outstanding example of American folk life.

The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is sponsored by The Associated Irish Societies consisting of the Knights of St. Patrick, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the West Haven Irish American Club, and the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club.

Although last year’s parade day was a victim of the historic rainstorms that fell throughout Connecticut during parade week, Eileen Sullivan Donadio, Parade Coordinator noted there were less than 20% cancellations on parade day from marching units.

Donadio, said, “The Irish are a hardy lot and it takes more than rain to stop our Parade. The only way we would not have marched is if the Governor closed the roads and that was not done…so we marched.”

This year’s parade boasts of over 3,600 participants from 160 musical and marching units. The parade will be broadcast live by FOX-CT starting at 1:00 p.m.. Parade organizers have been working since late summer to ensure a well-organized event.

A number of new attractions, including a horse drawn stagecoach from Wells Fargo, colorful costumed marchers from the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire, costumed Zombies dancing to “Thriller” in support of the Shoreline Trolley Museum, and a contingent of Pyramid Klowns, motor patrol, and little wheels, will delight children and adults alike.

In addition to the official Parade Queen, Kristina Conroy, and her honor attendant, Carolyn Shea, there will be appearances by Mrs. America 2010, Shelley Carbone, and Mrs. Connecticut 2011, Jennifer Begley.

Spectators can watch the parade along the parade route from Chapel to Church Streets ending at Grove and Orange Streets. The corner of Church and Chapel Streets will be named “Tom Slater Boulevard” for the day in recognition of their former Grand Marshal and long-time Parade Coordinator who lost his fight with cancer in December.

Free automobile parking is allowed in all Yale University parking lots around the Yale campus except for the restricted lots with red signs which are gate controlled. Special parking assignment for parade marchers have been made available and communicated to each participating group.

For more information, such as parade maps, city information, and parade orders, visit the parade website at www.stpatricksdayparade.org.