PARADE BALL TO HONOR IRISH HERITAGE MARCH 5!

There is no greater place to be Irish than New Haven. Since its inception in March of 1842, The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade has held fast to Irish pride, tradition and family. Before the parade hits the streets on March 13, 2016, a long-celebrated event precedes its pageantry; The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Ball.

Often considered the social highlight of parade season, the Ball officially introduces the Parade Grand Marshal, The Queen and her honor attendant, the Committee, and the Honorees to the community in a formal event shaped throughout the evening with flavors and heraldry reminiscent of grand days past.

This year, the Parade honors Grand Marshal, Colleen A. M. B. Hines, of Wallingford. Her lineage traces back to County Leitrim, County Donegal, County Galway, and Westmeath. Colleen, an active participant in New Haven’s Irish American community, is a member of the Irish American Community Center/New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club and a member of the Knights of St. Patrick. She has volunteered and assisted with various events including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen Competition, the Connecticut Irish Festival, and was co-chair of the 129th Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner.

Celebrating alongside the Grand Marshal are distinguished honorees, Attorney, Edward J. McManus, recipient of the James J. Dinnan Distinguished Service Award; Jim Travers, recipient of the Cornelius Driscoll Award; and Attorney, Maureen E. Burns, recipient of this year’s esteemed Appreciation Award.

Edward McManus is a graduate of Northeastern University and the Quinnipiac School of Law. Before opening the McManus Law Firm in New Haven, he worked as an agent trainee for the United States Marshal Service, clerked at two litigation firms in Boston as well as the new Haven Superior Court, worked as a trial attorney for Allstate Insurance Company and then for Jacobs, Grunberg, Belt, Dow & Katz. Edward holds a fundraiser every year for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp located in Ashford, Connecticut. The camp was created for children with serious illnesses. This week we caught up to Attorney McManus and he shared his thoughts with us: “I am truly honored to receive the James J. Dinnan Award. Mr. Dinnan gave so much to the community, parade, and countless others. His actions embodied the spirit of Seneca who famously said “wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness."

Jim Travers, Vice President for United Way of Greater New Haven, is also the Chair of the Board of Director’s for Liberty Community Services, an agency dedicated to ending homelessness in our region. He serves on a number of other boards, including the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

Attorney, Maureen E. Burns of the Pellegrino Law Firm in New Haven, is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College & Western New England College School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate Degree. Maureen has been active in a number of New Haven community activities. She currently serves on the Board of Friends of New Haven Legal Services and is a former Commissioner and treasurer of the New Haven Parking Authority. Maureen had the honor of being one of the first women members of the Knights of St. Patrick. She is still an active member today.

The Parade Ball will be held at Anthony’s Ocean View on Saturday, March 5, 2016 and will no doubt be a night to remember. Please join us in the celebration, pride, and tradition. For further information, visit the Parade website at www.stpatricksdayparade.org or call Anne Hines at 203-488-4902.