PAWLING – The annual Irish-themed parade in Pawling is returning to the eastern Dutchess community on February 24, according to parade co-founder Hernando Schaber of Pawling Family Quick Stop. Billed as “America’s Shortest Parade,” the eighth annual 223-foot march down Broad Street in the village begins with live entertainment at 10:30 a.m.
The Pawling parade beats out the annual 306-foot-long Monroe St. Patty’s parade.
The parade was conceived in a local establishment when Schaber, Mateo O’Connell, and Javier Hughes were “dared” to have a parade, according to Schaber. “Our first parade consisted of seven guys walking down Broad Street, with me as the Grand Marshall. We never expected the prank to turn into an annual event that draws hundreds of marchers and hundreds of attendees to the Village of Pawling, but it has. It’s good for our local businesses and even better for the community.”
Pawling resident Peter Ross has been selected as the 2024 Grand Marshall. Ross will be in close competition with the performance by students of the Farrell School of Irish Step Dancing under the tutelage of Ashley Gilnack. The group of energetic dancers was a crowd favorite in 2023 and they are back by popular demand this year. The dancers will begin at noon, followed by a rendition of the National Anthem at 1 p.m. with the parade stepping off immediately after.
Following the parade, the festivities continue with a live performance by “The Nerds” at 2 p.m.
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2023 video of the step dancers:
