Think spring: Jamesport St. Patrick’s Day parade is set, honoring Grand Marshal Brian Stark

Spring may not exactly be just around the corner, but it’s still not too early to start thinking about celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. 

The East End Emerald Society’s 12th Annual Jamesport St. Patrick’s Day Parade is slated to take place Saturday, March 28 on Main Road in Jamesport.

Riverhead businessman Brian Stark has been named grand marshal of the 2026 parade. A Riverhead native, Stark has roots in Jamesport and generational roots in Ireland. His maternal great-grandparents immigrated from Ireland in the late 19th century. His grandmother was born in the U.S. in 1900, Stark said. 

The aides to the grand marshal this year are Earl Truland, Stark’s brother-in-law and business partner in Sandy Pond Links, and Steven Wirth, owner of Diggers Ales and Eats on West Main Street in Riverhead.

This year’s parade, which steps off at 1 p.m. on Main Road at Washington Avenue, will feature renowned pipe bands and marching bands from across the region, and dozens of fire departments and community groups participating. It will end at South Jamesport Avenue.

Immediately following the parade will be a celebration on the grounds of the George Young Community Center on South Jamesport Avenue, with food trucks, live music and a DJ, according to John Cuddy, one of the founders of the East End Emerald Society.

Cuddy said he’s glad the East End Emerald Society can hold the parade on the last Saturday in March again this year, after having to hold the event earlier in March last year.

“There’s a better chance of warmer weather,” Cuddy said.

“It’s nice to get people out, to celebrate St. Patrick and the Irish-American community,” Cuddy said. “But the parade is for everyone. People really enjoy this parade. It’s like part of the rites of spring, coming at a time when spring is just around the corner,” he said. 

Since the parade’s debut in 2014 — the first and only St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Town of Riverhead — it has “definitely grown a lot. Everyone likes it,” Cuddy said.

Events leading up to the parade have become community favorites as well. First up is the Grand Marshal Ball, which will take place Friday, March 6 at the Vineyards Caterers, on Main Road in Aquebogue, beginning at 6 p.m.  The gala event, honoring  the grand marshal and his aides, is a fundraiser for the parade. It is hosted by the East End Emerald Society. Gala tickets are $75 per person (advance sales only) and include food, beverages, a 50-50 drawing and a chinese auction. Tickets may be purchased online here.

Then comes the raising of the Irish flag on the Jamesport village green on the corner of Main Road and South Jamesport Avenue on Saturday morning, March 14, followed by the Leprechaun Leap at South Jamesport Beach, hosted by the Watershed Kitchen and Bar on Front Street. More information to follow about both the flag-raising and Leprechaun Leap.