We Are Woodbury celebrates St. Patrick’s Day amid COVID precautions
Central Valley. The recently formed community group enlists dancers, bag pipers, firefighters and their trucks, a film maker and others to create a virtual St. Patrick’s Day parade to view on Facebook and YouTube.
| 14 Mar 2021 | 05:07
Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), who wholeheartedly agreed to meet at the Central Valley Firehouse and be recorded while performing their spirited bagpipe renditions in traditional garb. Photos by Linda Mastrogiacomo
The fire department joined in by providing a fire truck at the Central Valley Firehouse for the event.
Every parade needs a dog and Rambo the Bulldog was up to the task as the unofficial mascot.
Because everyone is a little Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, the newly formed community group, We Are Woodbury, took the saying to heart in wanting to bring a St. Patrick’s Day parade to the residents of Woodbury.
However, due to the constraints of COVID-19 and town law, it appeared that the group would be unable to offer the celebration.
Undaunted, We Are Woodbury put their heads together, thought outside the proverbial box and came up with a plan to throw a St. Patrick’s Day celebration online for all to see in a safe manner.
Having worked with local producer and Woodbury resident Wayne Bissinger in the past, the group reached out to him for his expertise, and he jumped on board to help.
First, they asked Joanna Markowitz from the Orange County School of Dance if they could film the school’s Irish step dancers as part of their virtual project idea.
She happily agreed and the girls’ teacher Mary Kate Lowe helped the troop work on a new dance and in a week’s time they were ready to perform for the camera.
Next step was contacting the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), who wholeheartedly agreed to meet at the Central Valley Firehouse and be recorded while performing their spirited bagpipe renditions in traditional garb.
The fire department joined in by providing a fire truck for the event while Photo News photographer and Woodbury resident Linda Mastrogiacomo captured all the wonderful moments of the day.
A live Facebook feed allowed residents to enjoy the beautiful day and proceeds from a We Are Woodbury raffle basket were donated to the AOH and CV Firehouse for this event.
In the words of Irish playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan: “The surest way to fail is not to determine to succeed!”
Thanks to the perseverance, tenacity, and creativity of the We Are Woodbury group and all their community volunteers, Woodbury will have a very special and successful St. Patrick’s Day event to view on the We Are Woodbury Facebook page and Youtube on St. Patrick’s Day.