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By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
The Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade is celebrating its 39th parade this year on March 12. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. and start on McClurg Road in Boardman.
Every year a committee starts working on organizing the St. Patrick’s Day Parade the October before the next parade. Business, organizations, schools and other clubs have the opportunity to sign up to participate in the parade in various ways. They can be in the parade, become a sponsor or advertise in the parade program.
There are two major sponsors who have been with the parade since the beginning, WFMJ and The Vindicator. There are also division sponsors, some who have been with the parade since the beginning, and some who have gotten on board later.
This year the Navy Band is joining the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Irish Wolfhounds Club of Northern Ohio, the Lucky Llamas, the Beaver Creek Horseman Association and the Aut Mori Grotto Clowns Unit are also some of the organizations that have partnered with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Aut Moro Grotto Clowns Unit is always a hit among the children. The Mahoning Valley Olde Car Club is one of the organizations that has been with the parade for several years. There are also children entries from the Boardman Little Spartans, Boardman football team and the Cub and Girl Scouts.
Depending on the weather, there are several people who come to watch the parade. In nice weather there will be between 10,000 and 20,000 people. The Grand Marshal for the parade this year is Edward Reese, the Ockerman Award recipient is Bob Hankey, the Lord Mayor of Kilkenny is Kevin McGuire and the Cleary Award recipient is Sharon Sabatka.
The theme of the parade this year is “May The Irish Be With You.”
Leading the parade will be the Shamrock Balloon along with the Boardman High School Marching Band under the direction of Tom Ruggieri.
The Shaffer Brothers will perform at the Post Parade Party at The Operating Engineers Hall.