Clear Skies for Montauk St. Patrick's Day Parade

The 51st annual Montauk Friends of Erin St. Patrick's Day Parade is to begin at 11:30 today under clear skies.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service say that today is going to be brisk, with an anticipated high temperature of a chilly 39 degrees, few clouds, and a moderate wind from the northwest.

The parade route begins near the Montauk Firehouse on Edgemere Road. The marchers, floats, and varied number of businesses and groups, such as classic-car enthusiasts work their way slowly toward downtown Montauk.

In an attempt to cut down on drunkenness among parade-bound revelers, the Long Island Rail Road ordered a temporary ban on alcohol consumption on the Montauk branch runs through Sunday. The railroad has said that police will confiscate any alcoholic beverages carried by passengers on trains, or in stations and platforms.

The 7:42 a.m. train from Penn Station is due in Montauk at 10:46 a.m.; it makes stops at Babylon, Bayshore, Sayville, Patchogue, Speonk, Westhampton, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, and Amagansett. A later train arrives in Montauk at 12:46. Return trips are a 1:23, 3:35, 5:35, and 7:33 p.m.

Sunday's activities begin with a clam chowder brunch of sorts on the downtown Montauk green. The local chamber of commerce will be serving up portions made by several restaurants in keepsake St. Patrick's Day mugs.

For those driving to the parade, the downtown portion of Montauk Highway generally is closed to traffic around 11 a.m., which means that those arriving any later will have to park near Second House Road and walk in for the best viewing spots.

Keep up with the parade today on rebelmouse.com\easthamptonstar