'So Proud': Irish Flag-Raising Kicks Off Jamesport St. Pat's Parade

JAMESPORT, NY — An outpouring of community spirit marked the day Saturday as the 2nd Annual Raising of the Irish Flag ceremony unfolded in Jamesport under sunny blue skies, setting the stage for the Jamesport St. Patrick's Day Parade this weekend.

The event took place at the George Young Community Center, located at Brian Simonsen Way and South Jamesport Avenue. The festivities included a bagpiper and a surprise — the newly restored bells at the Jamesport Community Center played a beautiful rendition of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" that touched hearts.

Riverhead Town Councilwoman Joann Waski — also a member of the East End Emerald Society and a past 2023 grand marshal of the Jamesport St. Patrick's Day Parade with her husband Pat — greeted those gathered by the flagpole. Riverhead Town Councilman Bob Kern and Councilwoman Denise Merrifield, as well as John Cuddy, president of the East End Emerald Society, were also onhand for the festive moment.

"This is our new flagpole," donated by the East End Emerald Society, Waski said. "It's such a great addition to our town. The top has a solar light, and it looks beautiful at night."

This year's Jamesport St. Patrick's Day Parade takes place on Saturday, March 15, at 1 p.m. sharp, kicking off on Main Road in Jamesport at Washington Avenue. The parade will be followed by a bagpipe reception at Jason's Vineyard; all are welcome.

The parade will be led by this year's Grand Marshal Anthony Meras, owner of Star Confectionary — affectionately known as Papa Nick's — in Riverhead. Alongside him will be the aides to the grand marshal, Patricia and James Mangiacapre, owners of The Watershed Kitchen and Bar in South Jamesport and also members of the East End Emerald Society.

Cuddy explained that the East End Emerald Society was born in 2014, "designed to promote Irish heritage and civic participation. Just like other municipalities, towns and states, today, we raise the tri-color for all members of our Irish heritage who have done so much for America. We support the Jamesport St. Patrick Day Parade, which gets bigger and better every year."

The Mangiacapres raised the flag into the brilliant sky.

(Video by Lisa Finn, Patch)

At the flag-raising, the Mangiacapres invited all in attendance to join them afterward in a spirited Leprechaun Leap; the couple was hosting the first-ever event at the Watershed.

(Patch courtesy video)

"We've been trying to do a plunge for a couple of years," the Mangiacapres told Patch. "It's a good chance to connect with, and do something for, the community." Proceeds from the event benefitted the East End Emerald Society.

The Leprechaun Plunge drew a crowd of about 90 people, Waski said. "It was a great success, especially since it was the very first Leprechaun Leap." The Mangriacapres, she said, "look forward to continuing the tradition moving forward. We have some exciting ideas that we are kicking around to add to the anticipation of the yearly parade."

The flag-raising and Leprechaun Plunge were the latest in a series of festivities leading up to Saturday's parade; in previous weeks, the 11th Annual Grand Marshal Event, hosted by the East End Emerald Society, took place at The Vineyards at Aquebogue on Feb. 28.

That sold-out event featured raffles to support the EEES, as well as NYPD bagpipers and a performance by students at Scudder's Gaelic Grooves Irish Dance Academy. Riverhead's "hometown son" and this year's grand marshal Meras was feted at the event, Scudder said.

And, earlier in February, the East End Emerald Society "put the jacket on" Meras, the 2025 grand marshal, at Star Confectionary.

"You could not ask for a better grand marshal!" Waski said. "Anthony has a personality that is larger than life. When the East End Emerald Society asked Anthony to lead the parade, there was zero hesitation in his acceptance of the honor. Although Mr. Meras is obviously Greek, he will proudly step into the role of Anthony O'Meras for the event. After all, aren't we all a little bit Irish on parade day?"

Meras told Patch he couldn't be happier to lead the parade. "It's been a great honor to be grand marshal," he said. "So many people have been so excited about it! My family has been in town at the restaurant for so long, I feel it's a true honor for their dedication and love of Riverhead and Jamesport."

He added: "Sometimes, I take it for granted, our place in Riverhead history— many generations have been in Star Confectionary."

The parade is a chance to celebrate Riverhead and deep-rooted traditions, he said. "I can't wait for Saturday."

The Mangiacapres have been great aides, he added— and "John Cuddy and Kevin Carrick from the Emerald Society have been awesome." Meras also tipped his hat to Pat and Joann Waski, who, he said. "have also been great. Pat and I grew up together so the fact that we can walk together Saturday is going to be cool. Pat was the first to ask me about it this in November — then John and Kevin made it official."

Reflecting on the events, Waski said: "As a town board member, I am so proud to have our very own St. Patrick's Day Parade in town."