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After 21 Years, St. Patrick’s Parades in Jim Thorpe to End

JIM THORPE, Pa. — Broadway Street in downtown Jim Thorpe will be quieter this spring around St. Patrick’s Day. After 21 years, the annual St. Patric...

JIM THORPE, Pa. -- Broadway Street in downtown Jim Thorpe will be quieter this spring around St. Patrick's Day.

After 21 years, the annual St. Patrick's Parade won't paint the streets of the borough green.

"That's a shame," said resident Shannon Eidem. "It's a tradition that needs to continue. The Irish heritage, the Molly Macguires, all that great history needs to stay. So, we need volunteers, come on, people, step up."

The decision was made by the parade committee.

Noel Behan is co-chair of the group and says while the decision was difficult, there are just too many challenges to make the parade happen.

"A few of us are getting older, a few health issues involved, and also financially the board isn't doing great. It costs us $40,000 to bring that parade down the street," Behan explained.

The people who plan the parade have been the same committee for the last 21 years and with no younger people interested in joining, this year seemed like the right time to end it.

"It became great over the years, but unfortunately, it just ran out of steam," Behan added.

Hailey Cmijko says now that she has relatives who live in Jim Thorpe, she was hoping to be able to go to the St. Patrick's Parade next year.

"We were actually planning on it this year and then my mom told me it was canceled and I was like, 'oh, well, that sucks," Cmijko said.

Committee members say they have had a successful 21 years and are ending on a high note with no cancellations due to weather and no accidents or injuries connected to the parade.

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