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Breaking: Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Announces Parade Cancellation

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7 years ago

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Breaking News: Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Announces Parade Cancellation

Pearl River, NY— 3/12/20 — It is with profound regret that the Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee announces that we must cancel this year’s Rockland St. Patrick’s Day parade due to concerns regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This has not been an easy decision, but the health and safety of the community must always be the overriding priority. However, the impact of canceling the parade should not be trivialized. Our first thoughts are to our well-deserving honorees who, after years of quiet service were getting the public recognition they so justly deserved. We are concerned about the economic impact on our community; for many small businesses, parade day is analogous to “Black Friday” and sustains them through leaner times throughout the year. These businesses are not just pubs and restaurants, but supermarkets, caterers, party goods stores, etc.. Many non-profit cultural organizations such as traditional musicians, pipe bands, and Irish dance schools rely on funds raised at St. Patrick’s Day performances to help them keep the tradition alive. There are the countless hours that volunteers have spent organizing the parade, which begins the week after the prior year’s parade. Finally, for many families this is a day of gathering, celebrating, and reminiscing on where they came from and the lost opportunity to create those memories cannot be replaced

It has been both distressing and disappointing to see comments on social media advocating for the cancellation of the parade as if it were of no more significance than a child’s play-date. For those who question why it has taken this long to reach a decision to cancel the parade, we are reminded of the famous quote of Louie Armstrong “If you have to ask the question, you’ll never understand the answer.”

One of our greatest sorrows is the lost opportunity to pay just recognition to the accomplishments that Irish American men and women have made to our community, accomplishments that are so often overlooked. This year’s parade was dedicated to Thomas and Danial Foley, brothers who grew up in Rockland and were killed during 9/11; Tommy on the day and Dan only a few weeks ago due to 9/11 related cancer contracted while searching for his brother’s body. In the absence of St. Patrick’s day parade coverage, we would ask for our public leaders and the media to consider publicly reflecting on the contributions of Irish Americans to our nation.

We ask the intercession of St. Patrick to deliver our communities safely from this illness.

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Events

Rockland County Free Fall Festival Returns to West Nyack Oct. 18

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1 day ago

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October 14, 2026

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The Historical Society of Rockland County will host its 13th Annual Fall Festival on Sunday, October 18, bringing a day of family activities, live entertainment, historic demonstrations and Revolutionary War reenactments to West Nyack.

Presented in partnership with Heritage of West Nyack and the Town of Clarkstown, the free festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at 131 Germonds Road, adjacent to Germonds Park.

The event will offer visitors an opportunity to experience local history, explore traditional crafts and enjoy seasonal activities for all ages.

Revolutionary War History Comes to Life

One of the festival’s featured attractions will be an encampment by Heard’s Brigade of the New Jersey Militia, offering a look at military life during the American Revolutionary War.

Visitors can explore 18th-century tents and watch demonstrations of open-fire cooking, militia drills and musket firing. Revolutionary War skirmish reenactments are scheduled for 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The festival will also feature tours of the historic Onderdonk-Tallman-Budke and Vanderbilt-Budke-Traphagen houses, along with a presentation by Clare Sheridan titled “Who Was Naut Kanniff? The Story of the Witch of West Nyack.”

Traditional craft demonstrations will include lacemaking by Mayra Petretti of the Metropolitan Chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc., as well as wool and flax spinning demonstrations by Celeste Sherry.

Family Activities and Fall Fun

Families can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities throughout the afternoon, including horse-drawn wagon rides scheduled from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Horses R Us 4-H Club will offer pumpkin picking, decorating and painting, while Fred DePaul will present sheep-shearing demonstrations at 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Children can also take part in colonial-era games presented by Tom Hunt of Waterside Forge. Balloony Toony Entertainment will provide balloon animals, face painting and glitter tattoos.

Additional attractions will include free mini-golf, raffles, craft vendors and demonstrations. A pen-turning workshop hosted by the Hudson Valley Wood Turners will be available for participants ages 12 and older. Reservations are recommended, and interested participants can contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com.

Live Music and Entertainment

Music will be part of the afternoon’s festivities, with balladeer Thaddeus MacGregor performing alongside Wee Jim the Limberjack. Additional musical entertainment will feature Scott Staton, Keith Olsen and Pat Keating.

Organizers invite residents and visitors to enjoy an afternoon celebrating Rockland County’s history, heritage and fall traditions.

Event Information

  • What: 13th Annual Fall Festival
  • When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, noon to 4 p.m.
  • Where: Historical Society of Rockland County, 131 Germonds Road, West Nyack, adjacent to Germonds Park
  • Admission: Free
  • Workshop reservations: Contact Len Stambler at Lstambler@gmail.com for the pen-turning workshop.

With Revolutionary War reenactments, historic house tours, traditional crafts, live music and family-friendly fall activities, the festival will offer visitors a chance to experience local history while celebrating the season.

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Events

Spirit of Sobro Returns October 2 for 5th Annual Celebration

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2 weeks ago

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September 30, 2026

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Celebrating its fifth year, this popular community event is getting bigger, with the festivities expanding to a second block this year.

The event will stretch from Depew to the gas station, creating additional space for vendors and entertainment. Organizers say 45 vendors are expected, along with street performers, circus sideshows, live music, a DJ, drumming and more throughout the event.

One tradition will remain in place: the Tarot salon inside Modern Druid, which will be open throughout the evening.

Organizers are encouraging the community to come out, support local vendors and performers, and help make this year’s celebration the biggest and most fun yet.

Bring your friends, spread the word and come enjoy an evening of music, entertainment, shopping and community.

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