Pittston preparing for St. Patrick’s Parade

Pittston is preparing for its seventh annual St. Patrick’s Parade and related events.

This year’s parade will be held at noon March 7. The parade starts near the Turkey Hill store at 257 S. Main St.

The parade travels north on Main Street to the coal miner statue. It then loops onto Kennedy Boulevard.

Approximately 100 entries are in this year’s parade, including four pipe and drum bands, local mascots, dancing groups, local businesses and animal groups.

Before the parade, there will be a Mass at 9 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, William Street, Pittston.

 

Leprechaun Loop run/walk

The parade committee is also hosting its fourth annual Leprechaun Loop run/walk before the parade.

The loop is a 1-mile event that starts in front of the Greater Pittston YMCA. Participants will proceed north on South Main Street to the coal miner statue, loop onto Kennedy Boulevard, return to Main Street at the Christopher Columbus statue and finish at the YMCA.

Age group medals, in addition to best costume, will be awarded.

There is day-of registration at the Greater Pittston YMCA at 9:30 a.m. The race will start promptly at 11 a.m.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Care and Concern Ministries of St. John the Evangelist Church and Allied Services.

 

Little Leprechaun contest

The parade committee is also hosting its third annual Little Miss and Little Mister Leprechaun Contest.

Winners will receive trophies and sashes, then ride in the parade.

The contest, open to children ages 3 to 7, will be held at noon Saturday at the Pittston Memorial Library, 47 Broad St., Pittston.

The children will be asked a few questions about leprechauns and the parade. They will each receive a shamrock-themed gift.

Entry fee is $5 per child. Children can register in advance at Pittston City Hall or by 11 a.m. the day of the event.

 

Pub crawl

In the lead up to the parade, the Pittston City St. Patrick’s Parade Committee is also hosting its fifth annual pub crawl at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

The committee will accompany the Wyoming Valley Pipe and Drum Band on a tour of three Pittston bars, where the band will perform several songs.

The pub crawl starts at the Knights of Columbus, 55 S. Main St., Pittston, then goes to Tomato Bar and Bistro, 7 Spring St., Pittston, and ends at the Red Mill, 340 S. Main St., Pittston.

For information, contact committee co-chairwoman Sarah Donahue at sdonahue@pittstonstpatricksparade.org.