CUTCHOGUE, NY — It was a sea of green and shamrocks Saturday as the 18th Annual Cutchogue St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought out a festive crowd on the North Fork.
The event, presented by the North Fork Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Cutchogue Fire Department, featured Paul Drum as Grand Marshal.
Joe Corso, of the North Fork Chamber, greeted the crowd. “I can’t believe it’s 18 years. When we first started this parade, the first year, we had no idea if anybody was even going to show up. One of the most exciting things was, that day, to look up and down the street and see this type of crowd. Each year, it’s getting a little bit bigger. “
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Corso also mentioned Paul Drum and his Paul Drum Life Experience Project. “It’s a non-profit organization located out of Greenport, and they’re dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the exploration of ideas, discussions and hands-on experiences,” Corso said.
The free program, for kids 7 to 12, meets for eight weeks in July and August, he said. “A lot of the programs are educational in scope; they have interactive programs, many related to the sea and bay.”
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Arlene Klein, one of the founders of the Paul Drum Life Experience Project, also spoke, explaining that some of the programs — there are new offerings every summer — have included magicians, shark experiences, sign language lessons, goat yoga, Double dutch jump rope, robotics, and so much more. “The kids have a glorious time,” she said. “”We take no funds, but we do take donations.”
The program takes place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Front Street Station; children involved need to be registered, she said.
Paul said was thrilled to lead the parade. “He is very excited and very pleased to be part of such a big community event,” his mother Sharon Sailor said.
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He was also very happy that he had a chance to showcase his program, the Paul Drum Life Experience Project, she said.
According to the website for the program: “It all started with a young man’s enthusiasm. Paul Drum was seeking a way to give back to the generous community who unconditionally accepted and supported him.”
Sailor reflected on her son’s honor, serving as grand marshal: “I couldn’t be proud of him, and all that he’s accomplished with his project and with his involvement with the community. There isn’t anybody that doesn’t know Paul from somewhere, someplace. He’s growing — and he’s able to showcase the Paul Drum Life Experience Project and get us the publicity we need to hopefully fund donations, and to carry on our eighth year of classes that are free for all kids from the age of 7 to 12, regardless of financial situation. They get a chance to expand their horizons and be exposed to things that they normally aren’t.”
Of the parade, Sailor added: “It was a great turnout. I think Paul did a fantastic job and really pulled the community in — and I think it was also great for the project.”
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