New York, NY, December 7, 2012 - The Aides to the Grand Marshal for the 252nd New York City St Patrick’s Day Parade were announced at the December Parade Delegates meeting in the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan by Parade Chairman John Dunleavy.

Aides to the Grand Marshal are chosen annually by the Parade’s participating organizations in recognition for their outstanding service to the Irish American Community. “One’s selection as an Aide is acknowledgement of years of unselfish, dedicated and distinguish service to the New York and Irish communities plus it is the acknowledgement of their contribution to Irish Faith, Culture and Heritage’ said Hilary Beirne Parade Executive Secretary..

“We are extremely happy to recognize this year’s outstanding individuals who have been selected Aides to the Grand Marshal for the 252nd Parade’ said John Dunleavy to a large audience of delegates from across the Tri-State area.. “They will lead us proudly up Fifth Avenue along with the Grand Marshal Alfred E. Smith IV on Saturday, March 16th ” said Dunleavy.

The Aides to the Grand Marshal for the 2013 Parade will be New York County - Pete Coyle, Bronx County - Bob Nolan,  Queens County -  Arthur Warren Scullin, Kings County - James J. Sullivan, Richmond County - Michael McVey, Nassau County - Jim E. Henry III, Suffolk County -  Delia Byrne Weissenberger, Westchester County - James P. Walsh, Rockland County  – Chris Cawley, Orange County - Thomas R. McDonald, United Irish Counties - Kathleen Keegan Mattessich, Grand Council of Emerald Societies - Robert J. Creighton, The Knights of St Patrick - Paul Hurley, The Aide at Large - Pat Troy.

^{Grand Marshal Alfred E Smith IV (center front) pictured with the Aides for the 2013 NYC St Patrick's Day Parade.}

The official installation of the Grand Marshal for the 2013 Parade, Alfred E Smith IV and the Aides will take place on January 17th 2013 in the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.

The 2013 Grand Marshal, Mr. Smith is the great-grandson of the legendary Al Smith, Governor of New York, and serves as the Director, Secretary, and Dinner Chairman for the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation. He is active in many community affairs and has received numerous honors from many organizations recognizing his lifelong endeavors on both sides of the Atlantic.

The New York City St Patrick’s Parade marched for the first time in 1762, fourteen Years before the Declaration of Independence was signed in Independence Hall, Philadelphia.  The Parade is regarded as the most popular of the all the Parades in New York City, and honors Saint Patrick - the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York and Ireland.  The New York Parade consists only of marchers and each year hosts some 250,000 marchers and two million spectators. The Parade has many outstanding marching bands, bagpipers in marching formations, high-school and college bands from throughout the United States and from all over the world. The occasion is televised live to millions of households nationwide for four hours by host station WNBC Channel Four. The broadcast is webcast live via the internet through the Parade’s web site at NYCStPatricksParade.Org and WNBC Channel Four web site at www.wnbc.com.

For further information about the installation and the Parade, please go to our web site NYCStPAtricksParade.Org or contact the Parade office at PO Box 295 Woodlawn Station, Bronx,, NY 10470 ,Telephone 718-231-4400/ 914-833-8363 or E-mail; HBeirne@nycstpatricksparade.org

Press Contacts                                      

St Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration Committee
Hilary Beirne, Executive Secretary
PO Box 295 Woodlawn Station
Bronx, NY 10470
Telephone; 718-231-4400 / 914-833-833
E-mail; HBeirne@nycstpatricksparade.org
Website; NYCStPatricksParade.Org