38th ANNUAL MAHONING VALLEY ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

March 14, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

St Patricks Parade 2016

BOARDMAN

Even though thousands of people had it rain on their parade, don’t think that their fun and sense of camaraderie were dampened.

“It went off very well this year,” said Joyce Kale-Pesta, referring to Sunday’s 38th annual Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade that filled a long stretch of Market Street with plenty of color, festivities and good times. “We had lots of floats, lots of kids having a good time.”

Despite a persistent light afternoon rain and temperatures in the low 50s, between 5,000 and 6,000 people of all ages lined both sides of Market Street for the longtime tradition, estimated Kale-Pesta, parade organization president.

The 1.5-mile parade began near McClurg Road and ended close to Southwoods Drive.

The event’s main sponsors were The Vindicator; 21 WFMJ-TV, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner; and Cumulus Media.

The parade’s theme, “The Claddagh: Love, Loyalty, Friendship,” was selected largely because of the community event’s ability to unify people and against a backdrop of certain current events, Kale-Pesta has said.

Making up much of the color – which, of course, included lots of light green – was about 17 floats. Ten divisions and about 150 entries also were part of the mix.

This year’s grand marshal was the Rev. Timothy O’Neill, who retired last year from St. Patrick’s Parish in Hubbard.

Father O’Neill, who also taught theology at Cardinal Mooney High School, was ordained almost 50 years ago.

Also honored were James Doran, who received the Ockerman Award, and the Rev. John E. Keehner, who was to serve as Lord Mayor of Kilkenny.

Kale-Pesta said she was grateful for Sunday’s turnout, adding that she anticipates the attendance will continue to grow.

“I’m so thankful to the community for showing up,” she said.