PITTSTON -- Now that's it's March, the next big event for many communities is hosting parades in celebration of St. Patrick.
Pittston's parade is scheduled for this weekend and the big job now is clearing away all the snow in time for Saturday.
Irish flags and shamrocks line most of Main Street in Pittston. The city has had department of public works crews putting them up in preparation for this weekend's St. Patrick's parade.
But one of their biggest tasks in preparation for the parade won't be the decorations, it will be clearing the snow and ice along the parade route.
Department of public works crews are shoveling snow and clearing a path for this year's parade.
Saturday's parade starts at noon and kicks off this Irish holiday's parade season in the area. Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend.
"It's very good, very good! It's booming, a lot of people coming in, a lot of new customers. It's something like once a year that brings like a couple thousand people. It's nice to see it, it helps," said Antonio Castagliola, owner of Napoli's Pizza near the start of the parade route.
Castagliola says he's happy to pitch in and help DPW crews clear a city-owned sitting area next to his restaurant.
"You know, you help them, you help yourself too! Because snow on the sidewalks, people won't come in."
With snow built up in some areas and more expected throughout the week, department of public works crews say they'll be out every day to make sure the paths are clear come Saturday.
"A few weeks ago, our DPW did go out and clear some of the heavier stuff, and we will monitor it as the week progresses," said Michael Lombardo.
Lombardo is on the parade committee. While he says the city is working hard to make sure all the snow and ice along the parade route is cleared, he still has a warning for parade-goers.
"Be careful. It is winter and there is still some ice spots around. We'll try to have it all cleaned up as best as we could and do the best that we can."
With some higher temperatures expected this week, at least higher than we have had most of February, the city hopes most of the snow will melt and their crews can get a bit of a break.
The good news is weather on Saturday for the parade has temperatures possibly in the 40s and no snow expected.
