Milford preps for next year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade

Why were 60 pairs of Irish eyes smiling on September 17 at the Tom Quick Inn? The eyes were happy, proud, excited, and delighted to be celebrating the second annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Milford. This event was billed as a “Six Months to St. Patrick’s Day Dinner.”

Joe Dooley and Jenny Gagnon were the organizers of the first annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade earlier this year. They were amazed that 3,500 revelers showed up.

This year’s parade featured about 42 units of marching groups: two marching bands, the Hiawatha Horse and Carriage from the Columns Museum, 10 different police departments from the area, a dozen different fire companies, members of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The American Legion Riders, and many other groups. Local dignitaries came to march, including Congressman Matt Cartwright, State Senator Lisa Baker, the three Pike County commissioners (Matt Osterberg, Ron Schmalzle, and Christa Caceres), and candidates Robin Skibber (D) and Jeff Olsommer (R) running to replace Joe Adams in PA’s 139th Legislative District. Pat and Ken Corcoran were the Grand Marshalls.

The inaugural 2024 parade cost $10,000, which Dooley said was provided mostly by Chant Realtors and Milford Hospitality Group, with a “smattering” of smaller donations. For 2025, they hope to raise $15,000. At last week’s dinner, they raised about $2,800.

Prepping for next year

The fundraiser at the Tom Quick Inn last week was a lavish affair, with a full-course dinner and themed desserts. The sponsors were the Tom Quick Inn, Milford Hospitality Group, and Chant Realtors. Bashful Blooms supplied the floral centerpieces at each table. Many were enjoying Irish mules, the signature house drink (Jameson’s, ginger beer, and ice.) The drink was a first time for many, and it was a big hit. The atmosphere was jubilant. Jeff McQuaid played Irish songs on the bagpipes, and many sang along.

Dooley introduced Bernadette and Brian O’Donnell, originally from Donegal, Ireland. They will be the Grand Marshalls for the 2025 parade in March. The O’Donnells had emigrated to New York first, but then came to Milford where they raised their children. However far from Donegal, the lovely lilting tones of Bernadette’s speech brings one right back.

Part of the reason for this fundraiser was to see how they can make the parade better. One of the biggest problems last year was the incredible amount of traffic. Many streets were cut off, pedestrian and car traffic were at a standstill. Brian was not phased. “A little chaos is okay, you know — we are Irish, right?” he said with a smile.

Dooley said, “We are already working on it. We will make the parade bigger and better next year. We’re talking with police, and various local authorities to develop a traffic pattern which will make getting around a lot easier.

Bernadette added, “Joe and Jenny will fix the problem, I guarantee you.”

Gagnon and Dooley will still be around next year, and they’ll be very helpful. Gagnon said, “We have amazing community support, and we hope to grow that.”

It’s a huge undertaking and it takes a village to make it happen. So, it’s fitting to say “Sláinte” (slawn cha), which means “cheers” in Gaelic, to the Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade next year.

Anyone looking to donate can send contributions of any amount to the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 201 Broad Street, Suite #2 Milford, PA 18337, with attention to “2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”