John Fager named grand marshal
Ocean City will be aglow in green as the St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival, sponsored by the Delmarva Irish American Club, returns Saturday, March 15, and is sure to be bigger and better than ever.
The event, which began in 1980, has grown to become the largest St. Patrick’s parade in Maryland and is the seasonal kick-off for many local businesses. Over the years, the DIAC — a 501(c)(3) social organization — has donated more than $590,000 from parade proceeds to scholarships for local high school students and to other charities and organizations. The DIAC is especially proud to have made a $50,000 donation to the Macky and Pam Stansell House at Coastal Hospice.
Pipe and drum bands will bring the sounds of Ireland to the streets of Ocean City, along with high school marching bands and festively decorated floats sponsored by local businesses, groups and organizations. Leading the parade will be John Fager as this year’s grand marshal. John has been one of the DIAC’s biggest supporters from its beginnings, and Fager’s Island Restaurant and Nightclub has been a parade sponsor for more than 30 years. John has played a significant role in the event’s success.
The procession begins at noon on Coastal Highway at 57th Street and marches south to the 45th Street Shopping Center, where the viewing bleachers and judges’ stand will be located. Trophies will be awarded for best marching band, best commercial float, best non-commercial float, best motorized unit, best adult marching unit, best youth marching unit, special committee award, judges’ choice award and best overall entry in the parade.
In addition to the celebration on the parade route, the 45th Street Shopping Center will be transformed into a spirited Irish festival complete with live music from the Pat O’Brennan Trio, along with Irish dancers, Irish apparel, baskets of cheer, souvenirs and a variety of food and beer. Spectators can enjoy the free-admission festival beginning at 11 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.
To avoid traffic delays, spectators are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. and to view the parade from 57th Street south to 45th Street.
Mike Bradley will serve as parade emcee on the judges’ stand. The parade will be live-streamed by UnScene Productions and hosted by Bill Baker and Melanie Pursel; details of the stream will be shared on the DIAC Facebook page.
The DIAC was founded in 1980, and its first membership drive resulted in 75 members. Today, there are close to 300 members. The club is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent or just likes things Irish.
There is no rain date for the parade or festival. For more information, visit http://www.delmarvairish.org or contact Buck Mann at 410-289-6156.
Background on John Fager
John Fager of Fager’s Island fame was born in Baltimore in the year of who knows when. Ocean City was the highlight of his family’s adventures. They left home in the pitch dark and took the ferry across the Chesapeake Bay to the Eastern Shore, and drove home the same day with wet bathing suits tied to the rear-view mirrors. John worked every summer here from the age of 16 through college — telescope pictures, beach stands, bus boy at Phillips Crab House.
In the mid-1960s, John and his best friend Maynard opened the Purple Moose Saloon on the boardwalk. It was a big hit and the rest is history. John has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and the Restaurateur of the Year award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Restaurant Association of Maryland.
John and his wife Michelle met in Ocean City and have celebrated 27 years together. They serve and contribute to such great causes as the Atlantic General Hospital, Worcester Prep, Rackliffe House Restoration Trust, Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, Seaside Christian Academy and Worcester County Humane Society.
“What an honor to be invited to be the grand marshal at Ocean City’s biggest event of the year,” John said. “My gratitude to all who make that happen.”
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