Celebrating Irish heritage at Wantagh’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The streets were covered in green as Wantagh celebrated its Irish heritage during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17.

Thousands lined up down Wantagh Avenue to watch the festivities and to hear the sounds of bagpipes echoing throughout. John Theissen, founder and executive director of the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit that helps sick and underprivileged children through fundraisers and donations, was this year’s grand marshal. Theissen, who led the parade in a green suit while holding a blackthorn cane, said he was honored to be this year’s grand marshal.

According to parade organizers, the event is one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades on Long Island. The event saw over 100 organizations marching in the parade, which included performances from the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band, Wantagh High School Marching Band and others. Children in the crowd were excited to see first responders and fire trucks march their way down Wantagh Avenue.