"Old Neighborhood" parade names Peg May Szczygiel Grand Marshal

“OLD NEIGHBORHOOD” PARADE GRAND MARSHAL & DEDICATIONS To Be ANNOUNCED AT FUNDRAISER PARTY

            The Valley Community Association will formally announce their selections for the Grand Marshal and Parade Dedications for the 17^th Annual “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade at their fundraiser party on Friday, February 12^th, 2010, located at 93 Leddy Street, Buffalo, near the junction of South Park Avenue and Elk Street.  The cost is just $20 per person and includes admission, draft beer, pop, and entertainment by the Irish band “Poor Ould Goat”.  Canned beer and wine will also be available for sale.  Tickets will be available at the door.

            The 2010 Grand Marshal is Peg May Szczygiel and she will lead the parade through the historic streets of the Valley and Old First Ward neighborhoods, retracing the original 1913 parade route.  Peg has been instrumental in creating the Waterfront Memories & More Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Buffalo Waterfront, particularly the Old First Ward.

            This year the parade will be dedicated in memory of four very special people who passed away this past year – Mike “Ozzie” Overdorf, a founding organizer of the “Old Neighorhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Tom “Shaky” Masterson, a Buffalo Police Officer who led the parade police detail each year of the parade’s existence, Joan LaRusch, an avid fan of the parade and community supporter, and Pat Henault, who also was one of the Valley Community Association’s biggest supporters. 

            The 17^th Annual “Old Neighborhood” St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 13^th and will kick off at 12 Noon.  New groups are welcome to march and can obtain registration forms by calling Lori at 823-4707 ext. 4.  Following the parade there will be grand Irish Hooley at the Valley Center with live Irish music by “Poor Ould Goat”, performances by local Irish dance schools, food and refreshments.

            For more information about any of the Valley’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, call Lori at 716-823-4707 ext.4.