Chilly and gray but no rain on the parade
KINGSTON – A large turnout and cheerful celebration marked Kingston’s
2015 annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Broadway, which drew thousands
Sunday afternoon, despite below average temperatures in the mid-to-upper
40s.
“The hearts of Kingston will warm you up right here,” said
Congressman Christopher Gibson, who was wearing a thick wool sweater.
Many kept warm by sprinting the entire parade route. Roughly 4,000 runners participating in this year’s Shamrock Run, which raised money for the Caring Hands warming shelter. Other spectators took refuge in their cars from the chilly winds.
Irish Cultural Center of the Hudson Valley has assumed control over the Shamrock Run for this city, currently in its 27th consecutive year. The organization is developing a facility downtown on Abeel Street.
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein marched in the parade.
“It’s wonderful, after such a long cold winter, to have so many people in our community come out,” Hein said. “All get to be Irish for the day and everyone has a great time. It’s the kickoff to spring, and we’re all looking forward to warmer days.”
Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo was pleased with the weather.
“Thank God it didn’t rain,” Gallo said.
Precipitation last week washed away much accumulated snowfall.
The Broadway Gallo walked has transformed during his first term in office, thanks to a comprehensive revitalization plan, including a Midtown facelift and infrastructure overhaul. The next few years promise more, he said.
“Kingston is poised for the future; we’re really on the upswing,” Gallo said, who said he is very proud of the partnership that has been created.
Projects include a $137.5 million renovation of Kingston High School;
redesign of the Broadway streetscape; the new Greenway rail trail linking
Downtown; and a community college annex opening this summer.
The initiatives are designed to attract new investment, plus help boost existing Midtown businesses like Joey Beez sandwich shop on Broadway. Owner Joseph Baganz was outside his restaurant with a barbeque, selling his special recipe, which adds corned beef, coleslaw, horse radish, and thousand island dressing to the traditional all-beef patty. Every few minutes a passing fire company would yell out “Hooley-Burgers!”
Business is good for Baganz, now entering his 14th year. He relocated to Broadway four years ago from nearby South Manor Avenue. Watching the parade, Baganz observed that unlike New Year’s Stockade ball drop, or 4th of July Rondout fireworks, St. Pat’s is the only annual Kingston event uniting every part of the city: Uptown, Downtown, and Midtown.
