SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — On Saturday, tens of thousands came to Scranton’s downtown city streets to wear green, celebrate the heritage of the emerald isle, and watch the 63rd annual Scranton St Patrick’s Day Parade.
Lining Wyoming Ave, Linden Street, Lackawanna Ave and more – parade and party goers descended on the downtown area over an hour before the start of the festivities to meet up with family, enjoy some drinks, and have fun. Families, friends, and everyone in between watched as flags flew, bagpipes blew, and the parade marched on, celebrating Scranton’s history, industry, and local businesses.
Fox56 spoke to many of the attendees at the event and to some, parade day was a time to spend with their friends and have fun, to others, it was a time to honor the America’s armed forces and Irish heritage, and to more, it was just a time to enjoy being with their family and embrace tradition.
Parade Day is easily one of, if not the busiest day in Scranton with restaurants, bars, and places to sit packed to the brim with smiling faces, and overflowing glasses.
“It’s a huge influx of people to the city,” said Patrick Nasser, co-owner of Backyard Ale House. “So, from an economic standpoint, it’s obviously great but it is a great way to feature the city, the Irish heritage that’s here. The parade committee does an amazing job of putting together something that is world class in terms of the parade. So, there’s nothing quite like it.”
Parade day is so memorable for residents in and out of NEPA because there is truly something for everyone. Families enjoy the parade and the mountains of candy thrown towards the kids, young adults party at the bars that litter downtown, and everyone can find a float that makes them smile.
It’s a tradition unlike any other, and thankfully, it’s not going anywhere.