By Joey Kottke, Staff Writer
March 14, 1970
Thousands gathered on the frigid streets of Scranton to watch the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade.
The low temperatures didn’t stop those in the parade, either, who were prepared to march regardless of conditions. The parade consisted of 16 marching units and 15 bands.
The St. Patrick’s Parade Association marked the route with green lines painted on the road. Shamrocks also were painted throughout the city as part of the festivities.
Judge Richard P. Conaboy served as parade marshal alongside his aides, Edward J. Coleman and Philip F. Brady. The Most Rev. J. Carroll McCormick, bishop of Scranton, was honorary chaplain. Members of the
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES A 10-man unit of police from Dunmore and Scranton stops for a moment along Wyoming Avenue to execute a precision drill maneuver for St. Patrick’s Parade watchers on March 14, 1970.
Lackawanna County Friendly Sons of St. Patrick — including President Frank J. Blewitt, incoming President Robert J. Keating and incoming Vice President Thomas J. Foley Sr. — were honored guests.
The parade marked the debut of the Fraternal Order of Police’s new uniforms. The group included volunteers from Scranton and Dunmore. The Parade Association awarded the drill team of the lodge with trophies alongside the winners of the parade’s twirling competition during the association’s March 25, 1970, meeting.
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES Student nurses from Community Medical Center’s School of Nursing make way for a group of Girls Scouts during the St. Patrick’s Parade in Scranton on March 14, 1970.
Dunmore High School’s band and drill units earned first place overall in the line of march, marking the ninth consecutive year a Dunmore group won top prize in the parade.
Scranton Technical High School’s band earned the Mayor’s Trophy for its marching performance.
This year, Scranton’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade will take place Saturday, March 14.
Related –
Time Warp 1979 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade crowd one of largest in history – https://accessnepa.com/pages-from-the-past/time-warp-1979-st-patricks-day-parade-crowd-one-of-largest-in-history/
Time Warp 1968 – Parade Day draws record number to Scranton – https://accessnepa.com/pages-from-the-past/time-warp-1968-parade-day-draws-record-number-to-scranton/
Images with the story and more are available for purchase at a our St. Patrick’s Parade Photo Store – http://thetimes-tribune.mycapture.com/mycapture/category.asp?CategoryID=66861
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
