Bayside St. Patrick’s Day Parade cancelled for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, COVID concerns have put a hold on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Queens Photo via Bayside St. Patrick’s Parade/Instagram

By Rachel Vick

The annual Bayside Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, scheduled for March 27, has been cancelled by organizers for the second year in a row.

COVID-19 safety concerns were once again the cause of the disruption.

“As organizers of the parade, we feel morally obliged to avoid any chance of endangering our families, friends, guests and the community at large by continuing with plans for this year’s parade,”  President Francis McLoughlin wrote on Facebook Monday.

Grand Marshal Eileen Flannelly Mackell and Aides to the Grand Marshall: Tommy Mulvihill, Joe Donovan, John Golden, Tom Golden and Fr. Chris Henue will all resume duties for next year's parade on March 26, 2022.

The 2022 event will also honor community member Robert Lynch, who died in December 2020 and was buried along with the sash he was given when named an aid to the grand marshall earlier that year, according to his son.

Though the parade is cancelled, the sense of community continues to thrive, McLoughlin said.

“Let us also keep in mind and look to support all the local businesses that helped keep our Parade going,” he added.  “And please remember and pray for all our first responders and essential workers, many of whom serve on our committee and to those in our community who lost their lives to Covid-19, may they stay in our hearts forever.”