Sunday March 10th, get your green on and let’s all go be Irish for a day in Huntington Village! *Keep reading for Going Local tips on parking, spots to watch the parade, and Irish food from local businesses!
The 90th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, set to take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 2:00 pm, extends an open invitation to all to join in the festivities. Participants will march down New York Avenue to Main Street in Huntington, led by the newly appointed Grand Marshal, Monsignor Steven Camp.
Tip #1: How to Avoid the Traffic
The most important thing to know that day, is that the surrounding streets close for the parade at 1:00pm which you can imagine creates a ton of traffic. Your mission is to avoid that at all costs. Here’s how: plan to go to brunch at a local spot in the village before the parade around noon. We would recommend making a reservation immediately so here are some of our favorite places to help: Finley’s of Green Street, Leilu, Hatch, Over Easy, IMC, Noema, and Ella’s. By having brunch before the parade, you’re not only avoiding the traffic, you’re also making sure no one gets “hangry” AND…you’re supporting local business! Win Win all around.
Tip #2: Where to Park
If you listen to our first tip, parking will be a heck of a lot easier then as opposed to around 1:30 when everyone who didn’t read this article starts to show up. I would recommend parking in either the Gerard Street Parking lot or the Upper Elm Street lot because I am all about an exit strategy. Once the parade is over, traffic gets heavy again and you’re better off being on the outside of the parade route. I would probably try to avoid the Huntington Village Municipal lot because of the one way roads and congestion in that area. This is just my opinion, but I’ll also say, if you see a spot, grab it!
Tip #3: Where to Watch the Parade
The parade starts at what I will always call “The Big H” shopping center on New York Ave and marches all the way down NYA and hooks a left onto Main Street. Anywhere on this route is a great place to watch the parade, but some spots can be really congested. If you’re looking for the action and want to be right in the center of it all, I would recommend posting up one of the corners of NYA and Main Street, but get there early. This is an area that has the most foot traffic and will be a sea of green and white. If you’re looking for a less crowded spot, I would park at the Big H and find a spot along New York Ave near there and bring some beach chairs to watch (*arrive early before the streets close to avoid traffic and rerouting).
Tip #4: For Those Who Ignored Tip 1
If you didn’t go to brunch, but found parking and now your group is hungry, head to Leilu located at 10 New Street. They are offering up a Parade To Go Menu so you can take your food to go and enjoy the parade!
Tip #5: If You’re Hungry or Thirsty After The Parade
If you’re looking for a Corned Beef and Cabbage Platter with all the fixin’s or a Corned Beef Sandwich, head to Finley’s of Green Street! They are offering up Irish favorites for those having a craving, have a ton of Guinness and Jameson on hand and will be getting a visit from the Bag pipers so don’t miss out!
Bonus Tip: If you aren’t into the parade but want to eat and drink after, Finley’s is THE place to be for St Patty’s in Huntington.
Did You Know…
Behind the scenes, the coordination and funding of such an esteemed gathering involve considerable expenses, covering band sponsorship fees, insurance, and advertising. Contrary to common misconception, the Town does not organize or finance the parade; since its inception in 1930 (excluding years during WWII), the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians has shouldered the responsibility and costs of orchestrating this remarkable celebration.
*Click the video below to see inside the Pre Parade Party that happens every year with the Hibernians at Finley’s and showcases the Northport Pipe & Drum!
Thank you the Huntington Ancient Order of Hibernians for all you do to make this parade happen each year!
We hope these tips help you enjoy the St Patrick’s parade and for more information about St Patrick’s Parades on Long Island, click here.
