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St. Patrick’s Parade in Jim Thorpe

JIM THORPE — St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continued this weekend in Carbon County. The borough of Jim Thorpe holds a unique spot in Irish-American...

JIM THORPE -- St. Patrick's Day celebrations continued this weekend in Carbon County.

The borough of Jim Thorpe holds a unique spot in Irish-American history, and residents pay tribute to that heritage by putting on the popular parade.

The community is known for having plenty of color and character, and both were qualities that could be seen in the extravaganza on Sunday.

Characters included St. Patrick himself, and a family of miners in 1800's costumes. Susan Mau of Summit Hill explained why the miner's group is so meaningful.

"That was our heritage from the 1800's till now, some of us are actual miners and miner's wives," she says.

The sun-splashed weather didn't hurt, as green-garbed locals and visitors packed the parade route, soaking up the Irish spirit.

Susan Benrhard is a native of Jim Thorpe.

“Oh it's such a special day. We love this. We have family from all over that comes for the parade."

But for many marchers the signature of the parade is the slope of the course, all downhill.

Tom Thomas plays a large silver instrument that looks like a tuba but is actually a contrabass, and said that the downhill course is just what he likes.

Dan Evans is president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians chapter that organizes the parade.

"All of our participants come to us and say this is our favorite parade because it's all downhill. The people are so welcoming. People up the street will welcome you into their homes. It's just a wonderful, wonderful day."

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