Special street named for local celebrity

Ogdensburg — The circular driveway and parking area around Borough Hall here was re-named Saturday morning in honor of lifelong resident Patrick Fitzgibbons. For his long service to the Ogdensburg community and for being named Grand Marshall of the 2010 Sussex County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, Council Way will be officially known as Fitz Way for the month of March. A small crowd gathered at 11:30 a.m. to witness the formal presentation. Councilman Michael Blahut read the inscription on a plaque awarded by Mayor James Sekelsky and the Town Council. Freeholder Phil Crabb made a short speech before Blahut climbed up a snowdrift to reach up and uncover the previously installed sign. After posing for photographs, Fitzgibbons invited the crowd into Borough Hall for a coffee and cake reception. “I was surprised to be named Grand Marshall,” said Fitzgibbons. “I am on the parade organizing committee and was absent for one meeting. They gave me the job when I wasn’t there.” The parade has been held in Newton for the past seven years. “Before that,” Fitzgibbons said, “it was in Franklin. The Parade went from Borough Hall, along Rutherford Ave. to Sullivan’s,” where the TD Bank is now located. “A big event was the green beer race where contestants had to carry a mug of green beer along the same route without spilling any.” A guest at Saturday’s gathering pointed out that some of the runners would drop out of the race by immediately gulping down the contents of the mug. While Saint Patrick’s Day is Wednesday, March 17, the Sussex County parade is set for March 20, a Saturday. “This helped us hire some very good bands without getting into a bidding war,” said Fitzgibbons. “Many bands were available for a lower price three days after the official holiday.” “I am looking forward to the parade,” said Fitzgibbons.

I am looking forward to the parade.” Patrick Fitzgibbons, this year’s Grand Marshall at the county’s St. Patrick’s Day event