The Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee announced that it has chosen Ted Lovely of Trumbull to serve as Grand Marshal.
Lovely hails from a long lineage of Irish descendants beginning with his great, great grandfather, Thomas Knablin, who was born in the Town of Youghal, County Cork, and immigrated in Bridgeport in 1858.
“It's a huge honor to serve as this year's Grand Marshal,” Lovely said.
He was born and raised in Bridgeport and is a graduate of Fairfield Prep and the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.
Lovely has a long history in education serving as a teacher, principal, coach, administrator, assistant superintendent, to name just a few. He has spent his life being involved in community activities. He is a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also serves communion as Eucharistic Minister at Christ the King Parish and is a regular volunteer at the Bridgeport Health Center.
Ted and his wife of 54 years, Nancy, have six children and 15 grandchildren.
The St. Patrick's Parade Committee recently held its annual Mr. and Miss Shamrock 2015 Scholarship contest and dance at the Gaelic-American Club on Beach Road, Fairfield.
The contest drew 10 high school senior applicants of Irish-American descent, five young women and five young men. After submitting an application, contestants were interviewed by a panel of independent judges. The winners are chosen based upon their knowledge of their Irish culture and on community interests and activities. Each winner receives a scholarship to be used towards his/her future college education.
This year’s Mr. Shamrock is Ian McLevy, a senior at Trumbull High School.
McLevy actively participates in school and in his community. He was a member of the football and track teams. He also helps serve meals at St. Luke’s Community Suppers in Bridgeport, volunteers at the annual Fairfield County Irish Festival with his father who has been a volunteer there for close to 20 years.
Lovely and McLevy will have the honor of being a part of this year’s St. Patrick's Day festivities on Tuesday, March 17, including Mass at Saint Augustine Cathedral followed by the flag raising at City Hall, breakfast, riding a float in the 33rd Annual parade at noon, and concluding with a luncheon and awards ceremony.
To learn more, visit stpatricksdaybridgeport.com or like the parade on Facebook.