GIRARDVILLE — It may have been a “wee bit” chilly Saturday, but it was not cold enough to keep the Irish from donning their kilts and marching in the 13th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians John “Jack” Kehoe Div. 1, Girardville, the parade was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland. The parade also saluted the local coal miners’ union labor movement of the 1870s.
“Although it’s a bit nippy, it’s a beautiful day in Girardville,” Philip McCarthy said over the loudspeaker at the former St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church.
McCarthy was joined by Phil Groody, both members of the Girardville AOH, in announcing the parade as it made its way down Main Street.
“It’s the lucky Irish number 13,” McCarthy said about the 13th annual parade.
Thousands of people dressed in green lined both sides of the street Saturday as the State Correctional Institution/Mahanoy honor guard led the march through the borough. Following the honor guard was the parade’s grand marshal, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mike Stack. Joe Wayne, president of the Girardville AOH, presented him with a plaque as they reached St. Joseph Church. Stack, who also participated in the parade last year, said his grandfather was a “coal cracker from Girardville.”
“I’m honored to be the grand marshal and happy to be back in Girardville,” Stack said. “We love Girardville. It’s the best parade in Pennsylvania. You are all so warm and supportive, and it feels like home.”
Before the parade, Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, North Second Street. An award ceremony was held after the parade at the Hibernian House. The best overall entry was awarded to Thomas Sullivan Funeral Home for its float with band Another Side. Mahanoy Area High School band won the school spirit award.
To bring more floats back into the parade, a contest was held with monetary awards. There were two classes — floats created and sponsored by nonprofit organizations and those for for-profit organizations. The best nonprofit group float was awarded to MCA Area Think Big Dance Marathon. Thomas Sullivan Funeral Home won best for-profit group float.
The 2016 parade T-shirt featured the names of the organizers of the 1916 Easter Rising and the local miners’ union movement of the 1870s.
“This is my hometown so I travel every year to come to the parade,” Kim Gonzalez, Mechanicsburg, said. “I’ve introduced it to my daughter, so hopefully it will be a tradition for a long time.”
Her daughter, Isabella, patiently sat next to her as she waited for the sounds of the bagpipes to make their way closer.
“She’s excited,” Gonzalez said.
With temperatures about 40 degrees Saturday afternoon, Verna Lapachinsky and Grace Groody, both of Ashland, kept warm during the parade with a blanket, some boilo and Irish coffee.
“We love the parade,” Marilyn Quick, Bloomsburg, said.
Quick and her friends, Mike Girton, Scott Henry and Kim Shannon, all of Bloomsburg, said they come to Girardville every year to watch the parade at the Girardville American Legion.
Jen Hertz, Pottsville, said she has attended the last several parades, while Rick and Rose Mills, Fountain Springs, said they have been at nearly every one.
“We have been here in all kinds of weather,” Rose said.
Last year, more than 5 inches of snow fell the night before the parade.
“It’s like a homecoming,” Rose said. “Everyone gets to see everyone again and some people you see every year at the parade.”