St. Patrick's Day Parade Scranton facts for kids
The St. Patrick's Parade Day in Scranton is one of the biggest Saint Patrick's Day parades in the United States! It happens every year in Scranton, Pennsylvania. People often just call it "Parade Day."
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What is Scranton's Parade Day?
This special parade takes place on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day. Even if St. Patrick's Day is on a Saturday or Sunday, the parade still happens the weekend before. For example, in 2013, St. Patrick's Day was on a Sunday, but the parade was on Saturday, March 9th.
How Does Parade Day Start?
The day kicks off bright and early! A special church service is held at 10:00 AM at St Peter's Cathedral. After the service, at 11:00 AM, there's a fun two-mile footrace. This race follows the same path the parade will take! Then, about an hour later, the main parade begins.
A Big Celebration in Scranton
Every year, thousands of people gather in downtown Scranton for this amazing tradition. It's one of the city's most exciting events! Scranton has had a St. Patrick's Day Parade for a very long time. The parade we see today has been happening every year since 1862.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County helps organize and support the parade. In 2008, about 150,000 people came to watch! Some famous guests that year included Bertie Ahern, who was a leader from Ireland, and Hillary Clinton, a well-known American politician. Andy Buckley from the TV show The Office also made an appearance!
Who Marches in the Parade?
About 12,000 people usually take part in the parade. You'll see lots of exciting groups! There are bagpipers playing traditional music and Irish stepdancers showing off their moves. High school bands march and play, and many local groups and other Irish organizations join in the fun.
When Was the Parade Cancelled?
Sometimes, big events like the parade have to be cancelled or changed. The 2020 parade was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, it was moved to mid-September instead of March. The parade was also cancelled during World War I (1917–1918) and World War II (1942–1945).
