ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The 70th anniversary edition of Allentown’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade wound through the streets of the West End on Sunday.
More than 90 groups marched in the parade, including seven pipe bands, several more marching bands, Irish dance groups, labor unions, local politicians, community organizations and businesses.
The sound of bagpipes, float-towing trucks and fire engine sirens followed them north on 19th Street from the Allentown Fairgrounds, west down Tilghman Street, south on 25th Street and back toward the fairgrounds on Liberty Street.
Nearly every foot of space along the route was lined with green-clad revelers and children scrambling to snap up candy tossed by the marchers.
In Catholic tradition, St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century, becoming the Emerald Isle’s patron saint.
In the centuries since, St. Patrick’s annual feast day — March 17, when he is said to have died — has become a celebration of Ireland itself, along with Irish culture in diaspora communities across the world.
Irish immigrants looking for work first began migrating to Allentown in the mid-19th century. By 1900, the city’s Sixth Ward was the hub of a vibrant Irish community.
“I just like the history of the parade, and the people coming together and celebrating the Irish culture.”Susanne Geiger, of Emmaus
The city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade began in 1955, when a group of residents formed an organization, aptly named the St. Patrick’s Day Observance Society, to oversee the celebrations.
For many residents of Allentown, the parade is an annual tradition steeped in community and culture.
“I just like the history of the parade, and the people coming together and celebrating the Irish culture,” said Susanne Geiger, a resident of Emmaus who has attended the parade every year starting in the 1990s. “It's a great day to be Irish.”
For others, it’s just a day of fun.
“It's just a reason to get together with our friends and hang out,” said Anthony Castoro, an Allentown resident attending the parade for the second time.
The parade caps off a weekend of St. Patrick’s Day events, including a “Cultural Community Day” at the Allentown Fairgrounds Saturday complete with pipe bands, Irish dance demonstrations, family activities and vendors.
Earlier Sunday, runners hit the streets in a 5K race.
On Friday, organizers crowned this year’s parade king and queen, Hugh and Christine Gallagher. The family has a long history with the Allentown St. Patrick’s Day Parade; Hugh Gallagher has attended every year since 1967, according to organizers.
