Odell with (from left) her dad Ron Hicks, sister Michelle, Parade Chairman Patrick O’Malley
CARMEL – Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell was inducted this weekend as Grand Marshall of the 42nd annual Putnam County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
More than 150 were on hand at the Centennial Golf Club for the St. Patrick’s Day Committee kickoff that will be culminated on March 11 when Odell wears her sash as she marches along Route 6 in Mahopac to the sounds of the bagpipes.
The Putnam parade is the state’s third largest with only New York City and Yonkers besting its size. Thousands of marchers will be participating in the parade this year with thousands more on the sidelines.
Irish blood runs thick through Odell’s veins with both of her parents being of Irish descent.
Odell was raised in Carmel along with her siblings, Michelle, Brian and Laura. She and her two children, Hope and David, still reside in the county seat.
Odell said it is an honor to be designated Grand Marshall.
“Immigrants come to the U.S. for a better life just like my family did. My mission has and always will be to move Putnam County in a positive direction so a better life may be had for generations to come.”
The parade steps off at 2 p.m. on March 11 at the intersection of Route 6 and Croton Falls Road in Mahopac.
