Scranton Saint Patrick's Day Parade facts for kids
The St. Patrick's Parade Day in Scranton is a huge celebration in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It's one of the biggest Saint Patrick's Day parades in the whole United States! This exciting event happens every year. It's always on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day, even if the holiday itself falls on a Saturday or Sunday. For example, in 2013, St. Patrick's Day was on a Sunday, so the parade happened on Saturday, March 9th.
People often just call the parade day "Parade Day." It's a really special tradition for the city.
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What Happens on Parade Day?
The day starts bright and early with a special church service.
Morning Mass and Race
At 10:00 AM, a mass is held at St Peter's Cathedral. This is a traditional start to the festivities. An hour later, at 11:00 AM, a fun 2-mile footrace takes place. Runners follow the exact route the parade will take!
The Parade Begins
After the race, the main event kicks off! The parade usually starts around noon. Thousands of people gather along the streets of downtown Scranton. They come to watch and be part of this amazing tradition.
History of the Scranton Parade
Scranton has a long history of celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a parade.
How Long Has It Been Going?
The city has hosted a St. Patrick's Day Parade since its early days. The current version of the parade has been held every year since 1862. That's a very long time! It shows how important this tradition is to the community.
Who Organizes the Parade?
The St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County is in charge of organizing and sponsoring the parade. They work hard to make sure it's a fantastic event every year.
Who Participates and Attends?
The parade is a big draw, bringing in many people and performers.
Parade Participants
About 12,000 people usually take part in the parade itself. This includes many different groups. You can see talented bagpipers playing their instruments. There are also amazing Irish stepdancers showing off their moves. High school bands march and play music. Local organizations and other Irish groups also join in the fun.
How Many People Attend?
Many famous people have attended the parade over the years. For example, in 2008, Bertie Ahern, Hillary Clinton, and Andy Buckley from The Office were there. That year, it was estimated that as many as 150,000 people came to watch the parade! It's truly a massive gathering.
When Was the Parade Cancelled?
Sometimes, events beyond our control can cause the parade to be cancelled or rescheduled.
Recent Cancellations
The 2020 parade was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 parade was also affected. It was rescheduled to mid-September instead of its usual March date.
Past Cancellations
Before these recent events, the parade was also cancelled during major historical times. It did not happen in 1917–18 and again from 1942–45. These were likely due to the World Wars.
