Organizers of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City announced Tuesday the grand marshal for this year's parade.
Francis X. Comerford, chief revenue officer for NBC-owned television stations, will lead the 251st St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Saturday, March 17, the parade committee said.
Comerford was born and raised in Brooklyn, and traces his Irish ancestry to County Kilkenny.
"Frank is an outstanding Irish American who has devoted a huge amount of his energy and charisma contributing to the legacy of the Irish in this great country," said John Dunleavy, chairman of the parade.
The parade is one of the most popular parades in New York City and honors Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of the Archdiocese of New York and Ireland.
The New York parade each year hosts some 250,000 marchers and 2 million spectators.
NBC New York will once again be streaming the parade on air and online at nbcnewyork.com this year.
