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St. Patrick's Parade Steps Off In 'First Celebration Of Spring' In Stamford

STAMFORD, Conn. -- The sun was out, and temperatures jumped into the 40s for an early St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 7, as hundreds came out in Stamford to watch what one participant called “the first celebration of the spring.”

Bill and Evon Malloy were Stamford's St. Patrick's Day Parade's Grand Marshals on Saturday.

Bill and Evon Malloy were Stamford's St. Patrick's Day Parade's Grand Marshals on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Catherin Gawronski (center, white) with her sons Reese (blue), Jay and daughter Gina.

Catherin Gawronski (center, white) with her sons Reese (blue), Jay and daughter Gina.

Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio
Photo Credit: Salvatore Trifilio

The parade, celebrating its 20 anniversary, was led by two members of Stamford’s first family: Gov. Dannel Malloy’s brother Bill and his wife, Evon, who served as the 2015 grand marshals.

Frank Brown, a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Stamford and a 2013 AOH Honoree, said he has been attending the Stamford St. Patrick's celebration “for as long as I can remember.”

Smiling after finishing the short but fan-filled parade route, Brown was quick to answer when asked for his favorite part of the yearly event.

“The fellowship and that it is the first celebration of the spring,” Brown said. “People love that the winter is now ending.”

And after a winter that saw crippling commutes and regular dumping of snow and ice up and down Fairfield County, many flocked to Stamford's downtown to join in the fun on Saturday.

Catherine Gawronski -- who said her “other Irish” name is Dolan -- brought her three kids to the parade for the fifth year in a row. She said it’s a great way to teach them about their Irish heritage.

“We come to celebrate being Irish and to support the Irish community [in Stamford],” Gawronski said.

The East Lime native who has lived in Stamford since 2001 said it is hard to compare Stamford’s event with the March 17 parade held in the Big Apple. But she said she opts for Stamford’s because “It’s more family-friendly.”

And the families were out in force on Saturday, coming in flocks from across the state and from outside of Connecticut for the 20th anniversary of the Stamford event. Others came with friends, and others -- Stamford’s loyals -- came alone to take in the atmosphere.

One Stamford local, who was born, raised and now lives in the downtown area, in attendance was 92-year-old Tony Galasso.

“I thought it was a great turnout today,” said Galasso, who joked that he has been attending the event for 90 years. “Everybody looks happy.”

Galasso, who is part Italian, had no problem enjoying the event celebrating Irish heritage.

“I’m Irish today,” he said with a smile. “The Irish always know how to have a good time.”

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