Feeling Irish? Join the parade on March 15

By Denise Dick

BOARDMAN — It’s that time of year again, time for celebrating the green.

The 31st annual Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade is set for 1 p.m. March 15 and is looking for entries.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Go Green.”

“The representative for The Vindicator [Dolly Milick] came up with the slogan because there’s so much emphasis now on going green and the environment,” said Joyce Kale-Pesta, parade president.

Parade sponsors are The Vindicator, WFMJ Channel 21 and Mahoning Valley Irish organizations.

The parade committee is looking for entries in nine categories: Best of Parade, Best Irish Theme, Best Float, Best Band, Best Pipe Band, Best Drum Line, Best Marching Unit, Best Novelty Unit and Best Color Guard.

Forms to sign up are available at www.irishofyoungstown.com or by calling Kale-Pesta at (330) 402-5275.

Entries are due March 1 to Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade Inc., P.O. Box 9093, Youngstown 44513-9093.

Grand Marshals for the 2009 fete are coach Dan Reardon and the champion Ursuline Fighting Irish High School football team.

Ockerman Award recipient is Pat Chrystal.

“He’s been involved with the parade for about 20 years,” Kale-Pesta said.

Lord Mayors of Kilkenny are Dave and Doug Sweeney of Sweeney Chevrolet, Boardman.

Kilkenny is the name of an old Irish settlement, formerly in the Poland Avenue-Gibson Street-Franklin Avenue area of Youngstown.

The Patrick Chrystal Youth Award will be presented to Lauren Kepley of Canfield.

“She’s an Irish step dancer,” the parade president said.

The parade will follow the same route as in previous years beginning on Market Street at McClurg Road and proceeding north to Southwoods Avenue.

“The trustees have voted to welcome the parade again this year,” said township Administrator Jason Loree.

Because of the township’s financial situation, there was talk after last year’s parade of possibly moving it to another location.

Loree said that the police and road departments have worked out ways to cut costs incurred by the township.

Reserve officers will be used for security along the parade route at no cost, and road department barricades will be placed at intersections to direct traffic.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Loree said of the parade.