BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The bagpipe’s moan accompanied the flag of the Republic of Ireland up the pole and toward the clouds.
It was a heavenly place from where Marykate Hanlon is certain her mom looks down upon her.
Hanlon, of Bethlehem, squinted as her eyes followed the flag-raising at Payrow Plaza during a St. Patrick’s Day Ceremony/Irish Culture Celebration on Friday.
As the flag reached its destination, Hanlon poked a finger under her glasses to wipe away a tear. At that moment, her late mom was at her side.
"Mom always said it was so special the city held the Irish event. She said it was like getting a piece of home.”Marykate Hanlon of Bethlehem
“These things always make me miss her,” Hanlon said. “Mom was born in Cork and was everything Irish — right down to the [four-leaf] clover tattoo on her wrist.
“This time of year, when St. Patrick’s Day is here, she would have that extra bounce in her step. Mom always said it was so special the city held the Irish event. She said it was like getting a piece of home.”
A wee bit of weekend celebrations
Friday was a day for the wearin' of the green.
From James Ruhf’s bagpipe selections to songs by the Bethlehem Liberty High School Grenadiers Band to the performances of the talented young ladies of O’Grady-Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance of Easton, Bethlehem kickstarted the Lehigh Valley’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
A similar celebration was held Friday at City Hall Plaza in Allentown.
“Our city has an incredible mix of cultures. And there’s always room for everybody no matter how long you’ve been here.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
Bethlehem's Parade of Shamrocks starts at 1 p.m. Saturday on Broad Street. But it's not the only parade in the Lehigh Valley.
The salute to the Irish weekend will be highlighted Sunday by the 65th St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Allentown.
That parade will feature 10 pipe bands, eight divisions and more than 2,000 marchers from organizations, schools, companies and community groups throughout the greater Lehigh Valley.
“Our city has an incredible mix of cultures,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds, who is one-quarter Irish. “And there’s always room for everybody no matter how long you’ve been here.”
Two dance groups from the O’Grady-Quinlan Academy entertained the gathering with spot-on step dancing.
“This day is so important to us,” said Erin Postel, a certified Irish dance teacher.
“Because as much as we’re a highly competitive Irish dance school, we really value the focus the community has of keeping the traditions of Irish culture and dance alive and Celtic culture in general.
The kids just love it so much.”
