PITTSTON — The St. Patrick’s Day Parade season kicked off Saturday with Pittston’s Main Street lined with scores of residents who have made the annual march a tradition.
During its seven-year history, more than 100,000 people have attended the parade, most decked in a variety of greenery and sporting shamrocks, green derbies, bows and a great variety of sparkly accessories.
For Sarah Donahue and Mike McFarland — the parade’s co-chairs — the most important moment of the day is when the parade starts moving.
“It looks like its a lot of floats and people walking down the street,” Donahue said. “But it takes a lot of work to make it happen.”
“There’s a million logistics,” McFarland said. “This is a culmination of the efforts of the parade committee.”
Both take a bit of time to enjoy the parade entries.
Donahue especially enjoys animal rescue groups who bring out dogs decked in miniature costumes, many she said in elaborate Irish-themed sweaters.
The Times Leader Media Group is the media sponsor of the event.
Making memories
Nadia Nemic-Kemp travelled from Boston to join her family on parade day.
She will soon be moving to Germany to join her husband, so Saturday’s parade was an opportunity to make some treasured memories.
Nemic-Kemp was “all in,” sporting a green wig, green unicorn horn and green sweater.
Her nieces — Anya, 6, and Reagan — 3, sat beside her as they waited for the parade to pass.
Nemic-Kemp said she hoped to travel back to the area every year to join her family for the special day.
Across the street, Al Michalec, was also making a memory, as he watched the parade with his four “pom-ponchi” dogs.
Several years ago, Michalec started out taking them to the event on leashes, but took a friend up on his offer to borrow a spacious cage for the day, so the dogs could look out on the parade.
As parade-goers made their way down Main Street, many stopped to admire the dogs who seemed to be enjoying the attention and opportunity for some time outside.
Loving Pittston
Pittston Fire Chief James Rooney started off the day with his wife, Mary Theresa, at service at St. John the Evangelist on William Street.
Rooney, the parade’s grand marshal, said he was overwhelmed with gratitude for the honor.
Rooney marched in the parade alongside Pittston City firefighters and family members.
Businesses and other organizations lined the street, some offering special treats or refreshments.
Barbara Maculloch, Pennsylvania President of Community Banks, sat amidst bank staff, each clad in bright green sweatshirts, handing out candy and beads.
“We love Pittston City, and we love the people,” she said. “So we’re happy to give back and get to know our neighbors.”
Meals and Wheels was also on hand to provide hot chocolate and chocolate covered pretzels to passersby, many who offered a donation.
Gary Bondurich, from West Pittston, who recently started volunteering for the organization, said it was a great chance to help out the community while getting to see the parade close up.
Parade favorites
More than 90 parade entries ranged from bag pipers, government officials, dancers, musical and local sports teams, and mascots, including the Times Leader Media Group’s TL The Bear.
Candy spewed from many of the parade entries, and children rushed to the street for a handful of the sweet treats.
Maritza Santiago travelled back to the area from Florida to spend time with her family.
“It’s more than I expected, I though many of the musical entries were really cool,” she said. “I loved the Irish step dancers.”
As the parade came to an end, many parade goers made their way to the bars and restaurants for a bit of refreshment before heading home.
Donahue said it was an opportunity for visitors to get familiar with the many businesses that Pittston has to offer.
