PITTSTON, Pa. — The people putting on the 10th annual Pittston St. Patrick's Day Parade hope the luck of the Irish is on their side when it comes to the weather this weekend — snow in the forecast for Friday night and showers for Saturday morning.
"You have to have rain to have a rainbow and have leprechauns at the end of it. So, it only makes sense that we do have a little bit of rain in the morning," said parade coordinator Sarah Donahue.
If luck doesn't come through, they say Irish toughness will, like it did five years ago when several inches of snow blanketed the city the night before the parade.
"An army of volunteers came out; we shoveled the entire route. We got ready for Saturday. And actually, we had a beautiful parade Saturday, and people told us, 'It looks like it didn't even snow in this town!' And we said, 'Oh, yeah, we worked very hard to make that happen,'" recalled Donahue.
The event is now ten years strong.
This year, close to 100 groups are participating, including the Emerald Isle Step Dancers, Wyoming Valley Pipe and Drum, and Liberty Tax.
We asked all of them what they are looking forward to the most. We got a range of answers.
Teagan Delaney, a step dancer, said: "Just seeing my friends and family on the parade route and really just having fun and dancing in it."
Bagpiper Christine Barnes said: "Definitely whiskey and beer."
Mark Mihalka from Liberty Tax said: "Some time to have fun, and then we'll get your taxes done."
When asked if CPAs know how to party, Mihalka said, "Absolutely, especially on parade day."
If you want to earn your party hat, you can participate in the Leprechaun Loop, which benefits Allied Services.
"It's an annual race that happens through the streets of Pittston. It's a 5K. We have about 120 participants signed up, and you can register the day of," said events coordinator Jenna Strzelecki.
Here are all the details:
- The morning begins with a special mass at 8:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist.
- The Leprechaun Loop starts at 10:30 a.m. Registration opens at 9 a.m. at The Open Space on Main Street.
- The parade steps off at 11:30 a.m.
Be aware that all roads and bridges leading into the city will shut down by 10 a.m. on Saturday, so get your spot early.