Celebrating Irish culture in Schuylkill County

POTTSVILLE, Pa. (WBRE/WYOU) — Pottsville is definitely enjoying the luck of the Irish. The city had some pretty decent weather on Saturday for its annual Saint Patrick’s parade.

The unmistakable sound of a pipe band, a marching band, and a pile of people in downtown Pottsville mean only one thing: the Pottsville Saint Patrick’s Parade.

“The Saint Paddy’s Day Parade is lit, you know. I had to wear green to pop out,” a parade-goer said.

“I’m just excited to be home and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. I think this is a great, like, parade,” said parade-goer Lucas Rinaldo.

Parade-goers tried to pick the perfect place to enjoy all the sights and sounds.

“I’ve been waiting all week for it, so I’m here,” Pottsville resident Ralph Zukosky said.

Zukosky wore an orange wig and a Saint Patrick’s themed shirt and brought out his homemade shillelagh for a parade that seems to grow each year.

“I like to see bands, you know. More bands because before, it used to be Pottsville band, and that was it. I like to see kilts, you know. Bagpipes,” Zukosky explained.

A busy pipe band this time of year from neighboring Luzerne County made an appearance in the 49th annual parade.

“We decided just to bring the band down for another parade, and we’ve already decided we’re coming next year for the 50th anniversary,” Debbie Ritz with the Luzerne County Ceol Mor Pipe and Drum Band said.

Some folks plan a whole day of fun on parade day.

“We have a great time here. We come here, we see the parade, we go out and get something to eat and have something to drink,” said Minersville resident Tom Putalavage.

While this parade celebrates Irish culture in Schuylkill County, it’s also a celebration of something else: Pottsville pride.

“I just really love the town. I really love this town and it’s. I want to live here forever, and it’s great here,” Rhys Zvorsky from Pottsville said.

The parade is dedicated in memory of Leo Haley, who is credited with starting up the first Saint Patrick’s parade in Pottsville in 1976.