Utica St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2014 Grand Marshal Chosen

Here's an event that I look forward to every year, the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, presented by The Great American Irish Festival. (Hey, with a name like McShea, you know I look forward to this). This year's parade takes place on Saturday, March 15th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. along Genesee Street in downtown Utica. And, they've just selected the 2014 parade Grand Marshal.

Sister Maureen Denn is this year's Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshal! The announcement was made on Sunday at the "Halfway To The Great American Irish Festival Hooley" held at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro.

Here's a brief history of the Utica St. Patrick's Day Parade, according to gaif.us.com:

"The City of Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade was started approximately 37 years ago by Johnnie Oakes and a small group of Irishmen that walked down Varick Street. At that time, the parade consisted of one band and a few vehicles. The parade was later led by a group of gentlemen that assembled at Roger's Coffee Shop known to many as The Rainbow Sportsmen Club. As the parade grew over the years, the Adelphia Cable Cares Club was asked to present the parade.

In 2008 the Great American Irish Festival, an all-volunteer organization, whose primary mission is to promote Irish culture and music was asked to assume the responsibility of parade presenter. This year's event is scheduled for:

Saturday, March 15th, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.

The parade is considered one of the largest in New York State. Thousands of local families enjoyed last year's parade which included over 2000 marchers from Canada, Pennsylvania and throughout New York as well as our local favorites.

For a list of past parade Grand Marshals, visit www.gaif.us/parade/history.

SOURCE: [WKTV.com]