SCRANTON -- In two days, 30,000 to 40,000 people will be in downtown Scranton for the St. Patrick's Parade, making for one of the busiest days for businesses along the parade route.
But it's not just the downtown, or even Scranton, that cashes in on the parade.
Scranton's St. Patrick's Parade won't pass Brunetti's pizza. The place on Sanderson Avenue is far from the parade day action and serves mostly Italian food, but the day for the Irish is still one of their biggest.
"We have an Irish pub across the street. We've been in business in the heart of Green Ridge, which is a predominantly Irish neighborhood, for 55 years," said Mike Brunetti of Brunetti's Pizza.
Brunetti's opened on St. Patrick's day 55 years ago, and each one of those years, the St Patrick's Parade downtown brings in a lot of business for them, mostly parade-goers on their way home wanting a slice of pizza.
"We did have a lot of kids, all the steps going up to the office, all the kids sitting on the steps, wasn't it great? 'eating slices of pizza," said Ann Brunetti of Brunetti's Pizza.
The St. Patrick's Parade isn't just a Scranton thing, even 10 miles away from downtown in Archbald, business owners said it's their busiest day of the year.
Shirley Barrett owns Barrett's Pub on Main Street in Archbald. She's been preparing all week for the boost of business she gets when folks from the mid-valley make their way home from the parade.
"Families after the parade, we serve ham and cabbage, shepherd's pie, green beer, green martinis, drink specials, coffee specials, so it's a good day," said Shirley Barrett of Barrett's pub.
It helps that Barrett's is an Irish pub, she said, since they'll even have customers during the parade who want the atmosphere but not the crowds.
"This is our day, it's the busiest day of the year for the town," said Barrett.
The Scranton St Patrick's Parade kicks off at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.