Pittston goes all Irish for St. Patrick’s Day parade

PITTSTON — The St. Patrick’s Parade season opened Saturday with Pittston’s streets lined not only with carefully painted green stripes, but with scores of residents who have made the annual march a tradition.

Members of the Burns family gathered on their porch, enthusiastically greeting neighbors as they prepared for the parade.

“It’s something that we do every year,” said Linda Burns, referring to herself and her husband. “It’s a party, a kid-friendly party.”

Burns said the family has opened its home to family and friends throughout the parade’s six-year history.

“Afterwards, some of us go downtown and continue celebrating,” she said.

Pittston special events coordinator Sarah Donahue was grateful that this year’s weather provided the perfect backdrop, especially after a snowstorm last year meant numerous challenges in making the parade a reality.

More than 100 entries made their way down Main Street to the delight of thousands of paradegoers, cheering as bands, businesses, bagpipers and even the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile​ went by, many of them decked out in green and glitter and generating excitement.

This year’s new addition, a large shamrock balloon likened to those used in much larger parades, was a special accomplishment for Donahue.

“We’re really excited about it,” she said as she looked down the street at the gigantic balloon towering above the street.

State Rep. Mike Carroll was enjoying the fun atmosphere as well.

“After a long winter, it’s a wonderful day to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greater Pittston,” the lawmaker noted.

Greater Pittston, he said, extends for miles in each direction on the day of the St. Patrick’s Parade.

Eric Filipiak, of Shavertown, intended to celebrate the day at city eateries and taverns. He prepared for the parade by purchasing a deep green suit and tie, covered with shamrocks.

As Filipiak and his friends headed for downtown, their excitement was palpable.

“This is the definition of St. Patrick’s Day,” he said.

Little Miss Leprechaun, Lexi McCabe, was also sporting multiple shamrocks on a deep tulle dress, chosen for her by her mother after Lexi was crowned just last Sunday.

Lexi’s mother, Linzi, said the 4-year-old did feel very fortunate.

“She said to me, ‘Mommy, I’m so lucky I have red hair and blue eyes. They’re both my favorite colors.’”

The Times Leader Media Group was the official print-media sponsor of Saturday’s parade.

Kerry Miscavage, vice president of sales and marketing for the Times Leader, and TL publisher Mike Murray are seen marching in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Pittston. Behind them is the newspaper’s mascot, TL News Bear, and other Times Leader staff. The Times Leader Media Group was the official print-media sponsor for the event.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TL-Kerry-1-3.jpg.optimal.jpgKerry Miscavage, vice president of sales and marketing for the Times Leader, and TL publisher Mike Murray are seen marching in Saturday’s St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Pittston. Behind them is the newspaper’s mascot, TL News Bear, and other Times Leader staff. The Times Leader Media Group was the official print-media sponsor for the event. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

The Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are seen marching with their banner during Saturday’s St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Pittston. The weather cooperated this year, unlike last year when a snowstorm the day before threatened to postpone the festivities.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-1-3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are seen marching with their banner during Saturday’s St. Patrick’s parade in downtown Pittston. The weather cooperated this year, unlike last year when a snowstorm the day before threatened to postpone the festivities. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Caitlyn Hess, 12, from the Broadway on the Boulevard dancing troupe, danced her way down Main Street in Pittston during Saturday’s parade.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-2-3.jpg.optimal.jpgCaitlyn Hess, 12, from the Broadway on the Boulevard dancing troupe, danced her way down Main Street in Pittston during Saturday’s parade. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

P.J. Melvin looked dapper as the 2019 Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittston. Melvin has been a staple of the Greater Pittston area his whole life. He held several positions in the Wyoming Area School District and is a former Pittston city councilman.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-3-3.jpg.optimal.jpgP.J. Melvin looked dapper as the 2019 Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittston. Melvin has been a staple of the Greater Pittston area his whole life. He held several positions in the Wyoming Area School District and is a former Pittston city councilman. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis passed out candy to the throngs lining Main Street in Pittston for the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-4-1-1-3.jpg.optimal.jpgLuzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis passed out candy to the throngs lining Main Street in Pittston for the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

A float by Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouse is seen from the Reilly Associates office in downtown Pittston during Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-7-3.jpg.optimal.jpgA float by Larry O’Malia’s Farm & Greenhouse is seen from the Reilly Associates office in downtown Pittston during Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a second appearance in as many years at the sixth annual Pittston St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-9-3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a second appearance in as many years at the sixth annual Pittston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Karen Renfer, Pittston Fidelity Bank employee, races to the Fidelity Bank van to get another bag of candy to pass out to the thousands of spectators that lined Saturday’s parade route.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-8-3.jpg.optimal.jpgKaren Renfer, Pittston Fidelity Bank employee, races to the Fidelity Bank van to get another bag of candy to pass out to the thousands of spectators that lined Saturday’s parade route. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

Raymond Cannell, of Exeter, leads the Wyoming Valley Pipe & Drum Band down Main Street in Pittston on Saturday during the sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. There was only a dusting of snow in the hours before the parade, or as organizers said on their Facebook page: ‘Surely not enought to scare off any leprechauns!’

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-6-3.jpg.optimal.jpgRaymond Cannell, of Exeter, leads the Wyoming Valley Pipe & Drum Band down Main Street in Pittston on Saturday during the sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. There was only a dusting of snow in the hours before the parade, or as organizers said on their Facebook page: ‘Surely not enought to scare off any leprechauns!’ Tony Callaio | For Times Leader

One of the new features for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittston was a huge shamrock balloon that was carried along the route.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_2109-St.-Patrick-s-Day-Parade-5-3.jpg.optimal.jpgOne of the new features for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Pittston was a huge shamrock balloon that was carried along the route. Tony Callaio | For Times Leader