New London St. Patrick's Day Parade To Include Gov. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Wyman

Gov. Dannel Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman will take part in the downtown parade scheduled for March 17, the New London St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee has announced.

"The parade committee is excited to be joined by these two outstanding leaders from our state," said committee chair Sean Murray.

“I am looking forward to joining New London in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day,” Malloy said in a statement. “I applaud the organizers for all of their work to make this great day happen.”

Wyman was the grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day parade hosted by the New London Irish Parade in 2011. Malloy was scheduled to take this role in that year's parade, but had to cancel in order to travel to Washington, D.C. to speak with President Barack Obama on emergency aid.

The committee previously announced the selection of New London's municipal historian Sally Ryan as this year's grand marshal and Waterford student Darcy Van Ness as the parade's queen. The committee says more than 40 groups have signed up to take part in the parade including floats, dancers, and local musicians. Michael Doyle is sponsoring a performance of Irish music by the Boston group The Swaggerin' Growlers, who will play live on a parade float.

The parade will stage on South Water Street and march along Bank Street, State Street, and Washington Street. The parade begins at 1 p.m. on March 17.

Anyone wishing to apply to march in the parade should contact Barbara Neff at bj@neffproductions.com.

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