All are invited to a ceremonial “Passing of the Crutch” by last year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade marshals, the McNally sisters, to this year’s marshals, the Kellys of the Central Adirondacks, on Friday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. outside of Souvenir Village on Main Street in Old Forge.
The gesture, according to parade co-chairman Chip Kiefer, is a twist on the tradition of many Irish parade organizers around the world who honor their past and present parade marshals by holding a symbolic passing of the shillelagh ceremony.
The crutch is an Adirondack archive purchased by Katie Boesché at the Town of Webb Historical Association’s auction. As the legend goes, the crutch was loaned by early area doctors to residents who were recuperating from various ailments.Following the ceremony, the audience will move indoors to neighboring Tony Harpers II and the TOW Bar Inn.
The passing of The Crutch is sponsored by Souvenir Village and Foley Law Firm.
