Riverhead March of the Leprechauns Raises $12,000
The inaugural March of the Leprechauns, a St. Patrick’s Day–themed pub crawl held Saturday in Riverhead, was a resounding success, raising $12,000 to be split evenly between the East End Emerald Society and Maureen’s Haven.
The East End Emerald Society puts on the Jamesport St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Maureen’s Haven provides a warm place to sleep in the colder months for the East End’s homeless.
Each of the 1,200 participants bought a $10 bracelet to participate and dressed in green St. Paddy’s Day garb. Leprechauns, fairies, even Gumby made an appearance.
The event was planned on the heels of the inaugural Riverhead SantaCon in December, a similar holiday-themed pub crawl.
“We had no idea what to expect,” said Nicole Evers, the director of private events for Suffolk Theater and point person for the event. “With our last town-wide celebration, SantaCon, the name ‘SantaCon’ was known—SantaCons are held all over the world. No one’s ever held a March of the Leprechauns before.”
Participating bars and restaurants were The Suffolk Theater, Vines and Hops, Joe’s Garage, Tweeds, Crooked Ladder Brewing Company, Digger O’Dells, Cliff’s Rendezvous, Hotel Indigo’s Bistro 72, Long Ireland Beer Company, Uncle Joe’s Pizza and The Riverhead Diner and Grill.
People have already been asking what to expect for the next pub crawl, according to organizers. “We’re thinking summer/fall” Evers says. “We’ve already been approached by several charities who’d like to be considered.” The theme is to be determined.
VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE 2015 RIVERHEAD MARCH OF THE LEPRECHAUNS