Being Grand Marshal of the New Haven Parade is unlike most Grand Marshals of other parades. Our Grand Marshal position is not a honoree position or special guest. The Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal position is a working position of the Parade Committee. He or She is part of the Parade Officers for that year overseeing the daily operations and working to raise funds. This person has worked as a Parade Committee member for several years (average 10+ yrs), and moved up the ranks in various positions. They include but are not limited to; General Committee Member, Special Committee Chair, Event Chair, Chief of Staff, Secretary, and Parade Chairperson.

On this page you will find information on our current Grand Marshal, a list of our Past Grand Marshals (modern time), information on how the Grand Marshal is chosen, and his/her duties.

The 2014 Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be led by Grand Marsh Kelly Canning Ruickoldt.

Kelly Canning Ruickoldt, daughter of the late Francis (Buddy) & Joan Canning. Kelly is a second-generation Irish American. Her paternal grandfather, Francis Joseph Canning was born in the Townland of Gortnalug in the Parish of Mohill, County Leitrim. Kelly’s grandmother, Catherine Louise O’Brien Canning was born in Drumsna, County Leitrim. They immigrated to America in 1906.

Kelly was born in New Haven, CT. Her parents Buddy and Joan and siblings Karen, Holly, Michael and Peter moved to West Haven in 1960 from New Haven.  The family enjoyed all that West Haven has to offer and spent many wonderful years at Savin Rock and the West Shore beach.

Kelly is a very proud mother of her three grown children. Rebecca Sage, Melinda Kate (2005 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Queen) and son Michael Joseph Enright.   Kelly is married to Doug Ruickoldt. She is blessed to be a “Bonus Mom” to her husband’s two sons, Douglas and Nicholas Ruickoldt. Kelly and Doug reside in West Haven.

Kelly has been employed at the West Haven Community House since 1990 in the Head Start program as the Office Manager.  She enjoys many aspects of her job, most especially when reading in the classroom to the children as “Cat in the Hat”.

Kelly is a member of the West Haven Irish American Club. She has held the positions of Secretary, Vice President and became President in 2008. Kelly continues to be an active member in her Club and currently convenes on their Board of Directors.   Dear to Kelly’s heart is the not-for-profit W.H.E.A.T (West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce) programme.   Kelly donates and promotes this organization every chance she gets.

Kelly’s first march was in 2001 as a Parade Marshal for the West Haven Irish America Club.  She wore her top hat and tails with enormous pride as she marched down Chapel Street. It was that day she decided to join the Parade Committee…. the rest is history.

The Grand Marshal of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade is chosen by the Executive Committee. This is done at its annual meeting in June.

The Executive Board consists of Permanent (Life) Members and Associate Members. The Permanent (Life) Members will include all past Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This may also be called the Past Grand Marshal Committee. Associate Members include the Presidents of the four (4) Sponsoring Irish Societies along with the Parade Treasurer and Parade Coordinators, if not past Grand Marshals.

The Grand Marshal shall:

A)  Attend all meetings of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and as many standing committee meetings as possible;

B)  Lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade;

C)  Review and sign the Parade orders;

D)  Assist the Chairperson on all matters pertaining to the Parade;

E)  Chair the General Committee meetings in the absence of the Chairperson;

F)  Meet with the present officers, along with the Executive Committee Chairperson, prior to the first General Committee meeting to explain and coordinate officers’ duties;

G)  Be responsible for collecting minutes of each meeting, any correspondence, and all public relations material pertaining to the Parade. All this shall be kept in a binder during the year, and at the first executive meeting attended it shall be turned over to the Executive members;

H)  Be directly involved in all aspects of fundraising to support the parade.