Behind the Scenes of the Parade – Alvar and her Brigade Make It Special
The fifth annual Kings Park Parade commences Saturday March 7th at precisely noon on Pulaski and quite appropriately at the corner of Celtic Crossing.
Although a relatively new parade in the small hamlet with deep Irish roots, it has grown rapidly with well over twenty pipe bands. People come from all over Long Island and Queens to view the parade.
From day one parade organizer and committee member Gerry Creighton said it was important to all involved that the Senior Citizens get special treatment. “We have them ride in beautiful old vehicles, they really just love it,” she said.
Sue Alvar, like Creighton is a life-time Kings Park, also known as a townie. Alvar is a Nurse and has been in charge of setting up special seats for the Seniors on Main Street.
“We have bleachers for the seniors on Main Street; that was my job for the past 4 years,” she explained. She coordinated a group of volunteers, many fellow nurses and her children Maureen, Eric and Brian as well. “They sat with the seniors, brought them blankets, cookies & hot chocolate,” she continued.
Alvar credits Mike Sullivan, Esq. for opening his office for the seniors to let them warm up if needed and to use the rest rooms. Alvar has now found herself on the Parade Committee, up to her elbows in the Herculean effort of putting on the Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day parade. Alvar said her friend Marsha Randall will now take over her position as unofficial leader of the Senior Brigade!
A few of the parade-going seniors sport the remnants of brogues from years gone by, from their childhoods decades ago across the pond. It’s an accent from a lifetime ago before they sought work at the Kings Park Psychiatric Center and a new life in America. Like movie stars, the ones inside the antique vehicles smile and wave to the crowd. Always received well, Kings Park has a long history of embracing its seniors.
One of the most well-known seniors in the community is Matty O’Reilly; a chatty chap, he can tell the best of stories. Like any good Irishman they change just a wee bit every time he tells them. They are stories of Kings Park past and present and stories of the war. Always up for a good chat, you can find him at all events involving veterans and often sitting outside Professors Diner or in the warmer weather down at the Bluff. A few years back ninety-two year old Matty O’Reilly was Grand Marshal of the parade.
“Listen Maureen that McElhone (owner of the town funeral parlor) isn’t getting his hands on me anytime soon, I told him to stay clear of me” joked the WW II veteran. Matty winters in Florida with his son but always returns to Kings Park in time for the parade and to join his fellow Kings Park Seniors.
You’ll see Matty and many other seniors at this Saturday’s parade – don’t forget to wave and say hello!
Senior Brigade:
Marsha Randall, Eric Alvar, Maureen Kunzmann, Christian Kunzmann, Rita Gardner, Pat Rogers, Joan Anderson,Susan Metzler,Kathy MacDonald, Karen St. John, Jane Tuohy and Marsha Randall.