West End Awash in Green for Irish Day

It was the first Saturday in October and West End streets were filled with everyone from marching members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians to Irish step dancers to bagpipe players, while restaurants turned out corned beef and cabbage, homeowners hosted deck parties, polar bears sold t-shirts and sweatshirts, dogs modeled emerald-colored neckerchiefs and drinkers imbibed green beer at local bars and pubs.

In short, it was Irish Day in Long Beach. Grand Marshal Noreen Costello led the 22nd annual parade and festival that drew large crowds that lined the sidewalks from its start at Hiberian Plaza at West Park Avenue and Washington Boulevard to the end of West Beech Street. Elected officials, schools, military heroes and pipes and drums bands also joined the parade, as many local merchants sold their food and goods along the street festival.