JIM THORPE -- Downtown Jim Thorpe is all decked out in shamrocks, which can only mean one thing, the annual St. Patrick's Parade is right around the corner. It's something that excites many in this area.
"It`s great, we`re all excited because it`s like opening season for us. It`s been a long cold winter and it`s good to have it back," said Noel Behan, owner of Molly Maguire's Irish Restaurant and Pub.
The 16th Annual Parade will step off Sunday, a day many who love the scenic Jim Thorpe make a point to stop on by for.
"A lot of the towns people actually come back to Jim Thorpe, they plan like a homecoming and their vacations around it," said Ron Sheehan, said Honorary Parade Chairman.
About 8,000 to 10,000 people will line the streets for the St. Patrick`s Parade that marches right down Broadway street and ends in the heart of downtown where the celebrations will continue.
Michael Guy owns a Candy and Ice Cream Shop right along Broadway and said he's anxiously awaiting the busy work day, and welcomes the crowds.
"Yeah, quite chaotic, but it`s fun it`s a lot of fun, and we look forward to it every year," said Rainbow's End owner Michael Guy.
Other businesses did tell Newswatch 16 they prefer to stay closed on parade day and that crowds like these become challenging.
Parade Organizers said they're working hard to make sure everyone stays safe and say State Police and the Liquor Control Board will be around to help keep order.
"We don`t want the parade to get a bad reputation, and we want people to have fun and relax, but we also want them to be very careful and respectful of others," said Sheehan.
Many said it's like stepping into Ireland, for just a day.
"It`s a tremendous atmosphere just to be part of it, it`s just great to be here," said Behan.
The parade in Jim Thorpe steps off at 1 p.m. on Sunday.