Downtown Scranton plans to welcome thousands of revelers Saturday for an Irish-themed celebration that is a tradition for many.
Parade-goers dress in green, don shamrocks and add sparkle to their outfits for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade, presented by the St. Patrick’s Parade Day Association of Lackawanna County.
Downtown streets will close by 9:30 a.m. on Parade Day, so guests should arrive early to find parking in garages downtown or on streets.
Scranton St. Patrick’s Day parade road closures. (SUBMITTED)
The parade starts at 11:45 a.m. and is estimated to run about 3½ hours.
Let’s shamrock ‘n’ roll
The day’s festivities begin with Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral, 315 Wyoming Ave., at 10 a.m. by the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of Scranton.
The Mass honors St. Patrick, who is credited for introducing Christianity to the people of Ireland. Bambera follows other notable celebrants of the Parade Day Mass, who have included archbishops and cardinals.
The Mass is followed by the Brian P. Kelly Memorial St. Patrick’s Parade 2-Mile Footrace at 11 a.m.
The race starts and ends in front of the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, 420 N. Washington Ave. The race follows the parade route backward to a 1-mile turnaround point in front of St. Peter’s.
Registration on the day of the race is $15, from 9 a.m. until 10:30 at 341 North Washington Ave., across from City Hall.
May the wind always be at your back
The parade steps off after the race. It follows Wyoming Avenue to Lackawanna Avenue, Lackawanna to Jefferson Avenue, and then turns left onto Biden Street. After a right turn onto North Washington Avenue, marchers pass the reviewing booth near North Washington and Linden Street, before ending at North Washington and Vine Street.
A green painted line is applied to the center of Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton along the parade route for the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade, set for this Saturday.
Scene from previous Scranton St. Patrick’s Day parade, which has become tradition for many. (FILE PHOTO)
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A green painted line is applied to the center of Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton along the parade route for the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade, set for this Saturday.
The parade is larger than last year’s. There are at least 145 entries, including nine bagpipe bands, seven high school bands and a string band.
The Lackawanna Historical Society organized a contingent to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary. It is called the Eras Tour, a reference to singer Taylor Swift.
Police direct visitors to the downtown to avoid parking in areas posted as no parking between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., as listed below:
• Wyoming Avenue: 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 blocks
• Lackawanna Avenue: 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 blocks
• Biden Street: 300, 400, 500, 600 blocks
• North Washington Avenue: 100, 200, 300, 400 blocks
• Linden Street: 300, 400, 500, 600 blocks
• Jefferson Avenue: 100 block
• Adams Avenue: 200, 300 blocks
• Penn Avenue: 400 block
• Mulberry Street: 200, 300, 400 blocks
Top of the morning to all
Erin Keating, Scranton School District superintendent, is grand marshal of the parade.
Other dignitaries included in the parade are the honorary grand marshal John Ventura, parade marshal Michael Brown and honorary parade marshal Michael Kelly.
The parade is dedicated to the memory of Tim Lynady, Paul Hart, John E. “Star” Kelly, Gerry Gaughan and Thomas “Beansie” Culkin.
Scranton police Chief Tom Carroll said there will be additional “boots on the ground” to keep parade-goers safe as they enjoy the day.
The department will provide heightened security, with officers stationed throughout the parade route to manage crowds.
Other officers will be at the department’s command center using technology to identify potential problems.
Carroll anticipates an officer will be in the line of sight of each parade attendee. Attendees who need help or see something suspicious will be able to reach out to an officer or call 911.
Alcohol-related crime has come down on parade day as the event has become more family friendly, he said.
For updates and information, visit stpatparade.com or tinyurl.com/bden6cjp.