All about the GREEN

St. Patrick's Day Parade

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By Elise Mckeown Skolnick | news@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Though bundled up in warm winter coats, hats and blankets, most of the crowd still managed to proudly display some green for the 37th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

They crowded the sides of Market Street from McClurg Road to Southwoods Avenue on Sunday, sporting green hats, temporary shamrock face tattoos, green beads, green hair bows and headbands with shamrocks bopping around.

Some even dressed up their dogs.

And if they didn’t bring their own, plenty of green items were for sale from street vendors.

The parade is an annual event for the Lindeman family of Boardman. Eleven-year-old Alex Lindeman dressed up as a Little Spartan football player and walked with the high school team.

His 4-year-old brother, Andrew, sported a green hat and several strings of green and silver beads. He said the candy was the best part of the parade, especially the Tootsie Rolls and gum his brother was passing out.

“We have a good time,” Katie Lindeman said. “[Andrew] likes to come get candy and see all of the firetrucks.”

Michael Lindeman said there’s a small amount of Irish on his side of the family. Though parade day is usually cold and wet, he noted, they enjoy seeing Alex walking with the other football players.

The players “have fun doing it,” Michael said.

This year’s theme was “For the Love of Erin.” Richard “Dick” Coughlin, owner of the House of Erin in Boardman, was chosen as Grand Marshal.

The event included traditional parade entries such as marching bands, police cars and politicians. There also were llamas, Irish dancers, Irish Wolf Hounds and more.

Julie Waback of Struthers said her favorite parts of the parade every year are the horses and Irish setters. Her husband, Brian, said the best part is the firetrucks. Their 6-year-old daughter, Livia, agreed with Dad.

“We come out every year,” Brian said. “The kids like it. My son outgrew it, and [Livia] took his place.”

Livia brought a bag to collect candy. She said gum is her favorite.

This is the 37th year for the event that typically draws 25,000 to 30,000 spectators.