‘Go Green’ at St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By Denise Dick

The parade draws between 3,000 and 10,000 people, depending on the weather.

BOARDMAN — It’s nearly as much a part of St. Patrick’s Day festivities as shamrocks and leprechauns, and it’s set for 1 p.m. next Sunday.

This is the 31st year for the Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The parade route starts on Market Street at the driveway of the township administration building and proceeds north on Market to DeBartolo Place, ending at the Southwoods Medical Complex.

“This year’s theme is ‘Go Green,’” said Joyce Kale-Pesta, parade committee president.

Township trustees voted to welcome the parade to return to the township at the committee’s request.

“I think it’s something everyone looks forward to every year,” said Larry Moliterno, trustees chairman. “It signals the beginning of spring. We’re honored to have them.”

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.

As of last week, the parade had 130 entries lined up with more expected, Kale-Pesta said.

Entries will be accepted through Friday. More information is available at www.irishofyoungstown.com.

“We’re expecting a lot of Ursuline alumni,” she said. “Ursuline Irish are leading the parade — the band, alumni, the football team. We’re excited about that.”

Trophies will be awarded in several categories.

The fete typically draws between 3,000 and 10,000 people, depending on the weather.

“If it’s extremely bad weather, we’ll have 3,000 to 5,000,” Kale-Pesta said. “If it’s extremely good weather, we’ll get 5,000 to 10,000 people.”

The parade is organized by the parade committee and the Irish Organization of Mahoning County: Ancient Order of Hibernians, Joseph Nalley, Division 6; The Laoh Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland, Division 6; Muinter Na h’Eran (People of Ireland) and the Mahoning Valley Gaelic Society.

Parade sponsors are The Vindicator, WFMJ-TV21 and Cumulus radio.

Grand marshals are Coach Dan Reardon, the coaching staff and the Ursuline High School Fighting Irish Division V Championship football team.

Reardon has been the Fighting Irish head coach the past five seasons, and in the 2008 season, the team racked up a 15-0 record, winning the final Steel Valley Conference Championship as well as the Division V Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championship.

Pat Chrystal is this year’s Ockerman Award winner.

He’s served as a parade committee member for many years and is a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Youngstown, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Joseph P. Nally Division 6.

The Ockerman Award is named for the late William Ockerman, who was a founding member of the parade and served as its head marshal.

Dave Sweeney, president of Sweeney Chevrolet, Boardman, was named this year’s Lord Mayor of Kilkenny. Sweeney was selected for his continued support of the parade and his annual sponsorship.

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

Lauren Kepley, 16, of Canfield, is the winner of the first Patrick Chrystal Youth Award. It’s named in memory of the Lisbon man who died in a one-car crash March 11, 2007, two days before that year’s parade. Patrick Chrystal was the son of Pat Chrystal, this year’s Ockerman Award winner.

The award recognizes youths who participate in keeping their Irish heritage alive.

Lauren, a daughter of Richard and Maureen Kepley, has been a students of the Theresa Burke School of Irish Dance, Youngstown, for 12 years and has attained the level of championship dancer.

denise_dick@vindy.com