St. Patrick’s Day parade planned
BROWNSVILLE – Neither the Monongahela River nor Dunlap Creek will be dyed green as is done with the Chicago River, but there will be a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Brownsville this year.
As far as organizers know, Saturday’s event is the only St. Patrick’s Day parade in the county and possibly the first ever held in the borough.
“I want there to be a reason for people to come out in the town and be together,” said Councilwoman Teresa Hosler, one of the event organizers.
Hosler said she was encouraged by the participation in last year’s Community Day celebration and Halloween parade.
“I tried to think of the first reason to have a parade in the new year,” Hosler said.
About a month ago Brownsville resident and firefighter Ron Barry and others in the area formed the Southwestern Pennsylvania Emerald Society. The Irish heritage organization is sponsoring the parade.
“It’s an organization that promotes Irish pride and fellowship among police, firefighters and EMS (emergency medical service)” Barry said.
Barry said there are Emerald Society organizations in most large cities including Pittsburgh, but this is the first in this region that embraces volunteers as well as career emergency responders. The local organization is open to emergency providers in Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland and Allegheny counties. At present, there are about 40 members, with nearly 500 Facebook followers.
“We’re using social media like Facebook to reach out to people,” Barry said.
Barry said all southwestern Pennsylvania emergency responders are welcome to join the organization or to participate in Saturday’s parade.
“You don’t have to be Irish, we don’t discriminate, but that is kind of the gist of it,” Barry said. “There’s quite a few of us who are fiercely proud of our Irish heritage. It seems the Irish have a strong tie to police, fire and emergency services.”
Barry said members of the Emerald Society will be marching in the parade as a unit.
“We’ll be easy to spot because we’ll be wearing bright green sweatshirts, but each member will be wearing their own helmet or hat from the organization they represent,” Barry said.
Parade participants this year include the Shriners, numerous fire departments and emergency service organizations, as well as scout groups and sports leagues. All individuals and organizations are welcome to participate, Barry said, whether they want to march or design a float or other parade exhibit.
“We want to celebrate all ethnicities,” Hosler said.
Of course the parade emphasis will be Irish heritage, and a prize will be awarded for the most Irish parade exhibit/participant. Trophies will also be given for the best marching unit, judge’s choice, and various awards for fire equipment presentation. Barry said the Emerald Society is sponsoring the “Most Irish” trophy, while local businesses and organizations provided the funding for the other awards.
Participants should line up starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in the Brown Street parking lot behind Sunset Discount. The parade will begin at noon, going down Brown Street to Market Street, then proceeding through town to the South Brownsville Volunteer Fire Hall.
Hosler said the fire department will have food for sale and the Emerald Society will be selling various items to raise funds to offset the parade costs. The post-parade celebration will feature recorded Irish music. Barry said he is hoping for live music for next year’s celebration.
“We want people to come out and enjoy the afternoon,” Barry said.