The Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 takes place this Sunday! 

It's expected that 100k folks will attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade, in Pearl River, New York, now in its 61st year. Here's everything you need to know if you're heading along. 

The 61st annual Rockland County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pearl River, New York, will kick off on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 1.30pm promising to be a remarkable celebration of Irish heritage.

Local organizations, such as the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, and Greater Hudson Valley Council, are actively participating, with scouts and community members demonstrating their pride and support.

In fact, this is such a huge community event that preparations began long before the local Emerald Ball, which took place on Feb 22, 2025. This wonderful event acted as the primary fundraiser for the big day. 

With the Irish community going all in for the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 here's everything you need to know.

History of the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Pearl River St. Patrick's Day Parade, organized by the Rockland County Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), has been a cherished tradition since its inception in March 1963. Initially, the parade rotated among various locations within Rockland County for nearly a decade. In 1972 and 1973, it was held in Pearl River before officially making the town its permanent home in 1974.

Over the years, the parade has grown significantly, becoming one of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in New York State, attracting crowds of up to 100,000 people. This annual event brings together families, friends, and community members to enjoy a vibrant display of Irish culture, music, and tradition.

The Rockland County AOH, established in 1836, has played a pivotal role in organizing the parade and promoting Irish culture and community service in the region. Their dedication ensures that the spirit and legacy of the parade continue to thrive, making it a highlight of the county's cultural calendar.

When is the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025?

The Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025, the 61st annual Rockland St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off on March 23, 2025.

What time is the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025?

The Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 will start at 1.30pm and will go ahead "rain or shine" according to its organizers.

What is the route of the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025?

The Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 will start in Pfizer parking lot (401 Middletown Road, Pearl River, NY 10965)

The parade will leave from the Pfizer parking lot, turning east onto E Crooked Hill Road, turning south onto N. Middletown Rd, turning west onto E Central Ave, turning south onto South Main Street, and ending in the area of the Pearl River Post Office.

Roads in the Pearl River area are subject to closure up to 1 hour prior to the start of the parade. 

On-street parking is available in the Pearl River area, but please check for any full-time or temporary parking restrictions for that roadway before leaving your car.

What's the best way to get to the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025?

From New York City

Train

(Best public transit option)

Take the NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line from Penn Station (via Secaucus Junction) or Hoboken Terminal to Pearl River Station.

Sunday service is limited (usually every 2-3 hours), so check the NJ Transit schedule in advance.

Driving

(Fastest Option)

Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway or Garden State Parkway North.
Expect about 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic.

From New Jersey

Train

Take the NJ Transit Pascack Valley Line (limited Sunday service).

Car

Use the Garden State Parkway North to Exit 172 (Grand Ave), then head east to Pearl River.

From Westchester County

Car

(Best option)

Take I-287 West over the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, then follow Route 303 or Route 59 to Pearl River.

Bus

(Limited service)

Rockland Coaches (Coach USA) may have limited Sunday service from White Plains to Nanuet.

A short taxi/Uber ride would be needed from Nanuet to Pearl River.

From Upstate New York

(Orange County, etc.)

Car

(Best option)

Use I-87 South (New York State Thruway) to Exit 14, then take Route 59 East to Pearl River.

Bus

Limited options

Transport of Rockland (TOR) buses may have reduced or no service on Sundays.

Who is the Grand Marshal of the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025?

John W. McGowan, an attorney, politician and musician, has been named as the Grand Marshal for the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025. The proud Irish American represented the 97th District of the New York State Assembly, for the years 2023 and 2024.

McGowan, son of Bart R. McGowan and Patricia Lavelle McGowan, was born in New York and raised in Pearl River, with his three older sisters, Margaret, Patti, and Maureen.

He went on to earn his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York Law School. After law school, John worked for a law firm handling insurance coverage litigation and then served as Assistant District Attorney, and later as Senior Assistant District Attorney, with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. McGowan also served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Bureau.

Following his tenure as a prosecutor, he entered private practice with the law firm of Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, focusing on general civil litigation. After being elevated to partner, John successfully developed the firm’s public sector labor law practice group. In November 2023, John started his own practice, McGowan Law, PLLC, based in New City, NY, where he represents police officers and police unions as well as individuals and businesses in the areas of commercial litigation, personal injury, estate planning, and real estate transactions.

In 2019, John was elected to the Rockland County Legislature representing Pearl River, Nanuet, and Chestnut Ridge. After three years as a county legislator, John was elected to the New York State Assembly, District 97, representing Orangetown and Ramapo. As a state legislator, John has fought to enhance public safety, support law enforcement, increase affordability, and preserve local control against unnecessary state intervention.

John also served as an adjunct professor at St. Thomas Aquinas College for six years, teaching undergraduate courses in law and criminal justice. In addition, he served as a faculty advisor for the Orangetown Police Youth Court for three years.

Aside from his business and political career, John is a dedicated volunteer, proud of his hometown and Irish heritage. John joined the AOH, Division 3, in 2004 when he began playing bagpipes with the Rockland County AOH Edward V. Larkin Memorial Pipe Band. John was elected Pipe Major in 2010. Among the many achievements with the Pipe Band, John is most proud to have led the band in Ireland during Easter weekend in 2016 for the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising, culminating with a historic march down Falls Road in Belfast.

He continued his service to the AOH as Rockland County AOH President from 2017 through 2023.

McGowan is married to his high school sweetheart, Christine Rose, and they live happily in Pearl River with their two dogs (Finnegan and Shilelagh) and are awaiting the birth of their first child, who is expected in January 2025.

The Parade has held a special place for John and the McGowan family, as John’s father, Bart, passed away from cancer on March 19, 1995, when John was 10 years old, just hours after the conclusion of the Parade. John has always felt connected to the Parade knowing his father Bart’s love of Irish music and his family’s Irish heritage would continue to carry on each year. The privilege to serve as the Parade’s Grand Marshal is the honor of a lifetime, and a day of joy in remembrance of his late father.

For more information about the Pearl River St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025 visit RocklandCountyAOH.com.