GIRARDVILLE -- Even though St. Patrick's Day was Monday, many people in our area are still celebrating.
One community in Schuylkill County is all decked out in green ahead of its parade this weekend.
It seems you can't go far in Girardville without seeing the green. St. Patrick's Day is a special time there. It's a day when everybody is considered Irish.
"I love a parade, it's a great celebration for the Irish," laughed Sean Fogarty of Girardville.
The population of the community is usually 1,500. On parade day it swells to up to 15,000.
Some people go all out. This year's theme is "schools of the past, schools now."
At the Burns house, you'll see a display of a classroom from yesteryear including desks from the former St. Joseph Catholic School. This was created by Ed Burns' wife.
"Hours and hours she plans on this. I did this for the first parade or two but she chased me and now she does everything," said Mayor Ed Burns.
Councilman Charles Marquardt's display also attracts a lot of attention.
"We've had a lot of people stop by since Monday, Patty's Day so it's been nonstop," laughed Marquardt.
And what's a parade without food and drink.
"Pigs in the blanket, a lot of cabbage, a lot of homemade bean soup, hamburgs, hot dogs," said volunteer Joy Misunas.