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Scranton’s parade is considered the second largest St. Patrick’s day event in U.S.
The Penn York Highlanders have performed in every Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Native Son Matt McGloin, center, with his brother, John, and mom, Cathy.
Parade Day Association Founder Paul F. Crowley.
Members of the St. David’s Society of Lackawanna County rode through the parade in style.
The Emerald Isle Step Dancers rehearse just before the start of the parade route.
The Abington Heights Marching Band patiently wait for their turn on the parade route.
Jason Riedmiller/Photos For the Times Leader
Victorian High Wheelers entertain the crowd.
Jason Riedmiller/For the Times Leader
SCRANTON – Tens of thousands of green-clad area residents gathered in downtown Scranton Saturday to celebrate the 50th Annual Scranton St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Just before noon, the parade began on Wyoming Avenue near Mulberry Street and marched its way around the courthouse square.
Francis Shovlin, 26, of Philadelphia and formerly of Wilkes-Barre, who annually celebrates the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day, which will be held today, finally found his way to Scranton’s event.
“This is great,” Shovlin said. . “I always heard how fun it was to come and stay after the parade at the local bars. It’s pretty crowded but everybody is having a good time.”
Scranton’s parade is considered the second largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States, as measured by participants per population of the city in which it is held.
Another area resident found himself at the Scranton parade for the first time Saturday.
Harry Levanda, 26, of West Pittston, arrived for the beginning of the event, which was expected to feature 10,000 marchers, and stayed for the libations at area bars such as The Bog.
“This is crazy. There are so many people wearing green; it’s all I can see,” Levanda joked.
The parade has always been about heritage, tradition and family. Youngsters Saturday were wide-eyed with disbelief at just how much candy they could grab along the route.
Pieces of sweets were thrown at the feet of Norman and Sandy Flynn’s 5-year-old son, Jacob, and 4-year-old daughter, Sandie. The Flynn’s, who live in Long Island, N.Y., originally met during college at Scranton University. They enjoy bringing their children to the parade.
“They love it,” said Norman Flynn. “It’s a chance to see the town in which we met, and they get boatloads of candy.”
Some area groups represented with homemade floats were Jack Williams Tire and Auto Center, Miss Pennsylvania, Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and Liberty Tax Service.