Bay Ridge gears up for Ragamuffin Parade with annual luncheon

A tradition as storied as the afternoon it accompanies, the annual Ragamuffin Luncheon went off without a hitch on Sunday, October 1.

The event – which serves as a fundraiser for the beloved, but costly, parade – included raffles, a cocktail hour and the bestowing of honors upon the parade’s newest Grand Marshal, Monsignor Kevin Noone, pastor of Our Lady of Angels Church, and Man of the Year, Ray Aalbue, chairperson of the Brooklyn’s Kings County Memorial Day Parade.

“The luncheon was a huge success and our honorees were really pleased,” noted Arlene Keating, president of the Ragamuffin Parade Committee.

Aalbue, she noted, was particularly excited to be honored.

“I don’t think he knew what to expect,” Keating said of the local resident who works diligently with the nabe’s Memorial Day Parade. “He was thrilled. And as for the monsignor — he’s a very humble man. He kept telling us if we wanted to choose someone else, we still could. It’s such a joy to honor them both.”

The two will lead the 51^st Annual Ragamuffin Parade, which will step off on Saturday, October 14 at 1 p.m. at 76^th Street and Third Avenue. From there, it will make its way to 92^nd Street, featuring thousands of costumed children along the way.

The luncheon took place at the Bay Ridge Manor, 476 76^th Street and played host to local residents, family and friends of those honored and local dignitaries alike.