Virginia Tyson is this year’s grand marshal

This year’s Moriches Chamber of Commerce St. Patrick’s Day Parade grand marshal has been announced as Virginia “Ginny” Tyson. The 22st annual parade will take place on Sunday, March 14 at 3 p.m. on Main Street. 

“I am very excited and honored,” she said. “I think the chamber does a great deal for the community.”

According to the chamber, the criteria for being considered for grand marshal of the Moriches St. Patrick Parade is that the individual must be of high moral character, someone who lives their life with strong ethical principles, a person of honesty and integrity, and has contributed over a long period of time to the high quality of life.

“On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Moriches, we are truly honored to select Virginia Tyson as our 2026 grand marshal,” said chamber president Jackie Osborne. “Virginia is a dedicated and cherished member of our community who has devoted countless hours to the welfare of our children and the betterment of our community as a whole. Her compassion, service, and commitment make her exceptionally deserving of this recognition.”

Tyson grew up in Center Moriches and remembered it as always being an adventure filled with great memories shared with family and friends. She attended school, K-12, in Center Moriches and graduated in 1971.

Then, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in early literacy at Dowling College.

In 1977, she married Bill Tyson and they have two children, both graduates of CMHS. They also have five grandchildren, with one in kindergarten being the start of the fourth generation in the Center Moriches school system.

Tyson was elected to sit as a member of the Center Moriches School Board for 12 years and was also elected to serve as a trustee of the Center Moriches Library Board for 32 years.

Like the generations before her, she said that she feels fortunate to have grown up and then raise a family in this community.

Currently, her daughter lives in Japan with two of her grandchildren. However, she will be attending the parade with friends and family. Also, though she always watches the parade, she is also looking forward to cooking corned beef and cabbage later that day as well.

“That’s a tradition—we always have to do that and going to the parade, and getting together with friends,” she said about the day. “I am really looking forward to it; it’s a great community.”

The parade begins on Lake Avenue and ends at Railroad Avenue and includes floats, fire departments, and pipe and drum bands.

The chamber’s dinner will be held on March 17 at the Rock Hill Country Club. For more information or to request to be part of the parade, visit www.moricheschamber.org.