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<p>SCRANTON &#8212; Saturday marked a bitterly cold parade day for Scranton, turning attendance rates to the annual St. Patrick&#8217;s celebration lower than years past. However, all things green were still seen filling the streets, as many loyal parade goers layered clothing of that hue to stay warm and celebrate the festivities.</p><p>Started in 1962 by the St. Patrick&#8217;s Parade Association, the parade is in its 55th year and, according to the association&#8217;s website, features roughly 12,000 participants from various schools, businesses, organizations and more. The annual event precedes a St. Patrick&#8217;s Mass at St. Peter&#8217;s Cathedral, as well as the annual Brian P. Kelly Memorial Race.</p><p>The streets of downtown Scranton were eerily quiet in the hours before step-off, as many patrons opted to either stay at home until the last minute or seek shelter from the cold inside of one the city&#8217;s many open businesses.</p><p>On Penn Avenue, New Jersey resident Nick Malyska was about to enter one of the local pubs with his friends. He said he couldn&#8217;t miss the festivities this year, regardless of the weather.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been coming here four, five years now,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I love it. The people are great, it&#8217;s a fun time. We come out and just party it up and have a good time.&#8221;</p><p>Malyska believed that the chilly temperatures &#8212; Saturday&#8217;s high was only 24 degrees, according to the National Weather Service &#8212; would cause a decrease in attendance this year, although he said there&#8217;s plenty of people &#8212; like himself &#8212; who are parade loyalists.</p><p>As the streets slowly began to fill the closer the clock reached noon, parade participants used a variety of ways to prepare for the route, which began at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Wyoming Avenue and proceeded past a reviewing booth at Courthouse Square on Washington Street.</p><p>School marching bands continued to play their instruments in order to keep them from going out of tune. Dancers kept on their feet, rehearsing their routines to stay warm. Walkers and float riders wrapped themselves in blankets and shawls to prevent the wind from hitting their faces.</p><p>Abby Farrell, of Scranton, has attended the parade since as far back as she can remember. The 16-year-old and her friends dressed for the occasion, donning green and white shirts as they made their way to watch the parade. She said she enjoys spending the time with friends and family.</p><p>&#8220;The atmosphere is really fun because everyone is here to have a good time,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t miss another parade day.&#8221;</p><p>This year&#8217;s grand marshal was David Clark, with Robert J. Lynett as the parade marshal. The parade was dedicated in memory of James Calpin, a former sergeant-at-arms for the parade who died last month. Organizations such as the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, Pennsylvania State Police and Lackawanna County Sheriff&#8217;s Office kicked off the event, with many bands, floats, bagpipers and entertainers to follow.</p><p>Steven Andorko stood in the median on Lackawanna Ave with his family. Cheering on the participants as they walked by, the Vernon, N.J., resident admitted this was his first Scranton St. Patrick&#8217;s Parade.</p><p>&#8220;We came here to spend some time with friends and get my kids out of the house,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I love it.&#8221;</p><p>Many families kept their children tightly bundled up for the event, running out themselves to retrieve candy and other treats. Green balloons filled the downtown area as both young and old patrons chose to show their Irish spirit, whether they were actually Irish or not.</p><p>St. Patrick&#8217;s Association President Jimmy Keeler said he was pleased with Saturday&#8217;s turnout, adding that he estimated roughly 75,000 people attended the celebration.</p><p>&#8220;Ninety percent of participants came. We were thrilled,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It was a tremendous parade.&#8221;</p><p><ins>For other local news stories, <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/category/local" target="_blank">click here</a>.</ins></p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">A dancer from the Crossmolina School of Irish Dance practices her routine before step off. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>A dancer from the Crossmolina School of Irish Dance practices her routine before step off. </caption0><photoCredit0>Marcella Kester | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">6 year-old Mia McCracken, Scranton, tries to stay warm on her father&#8217;s flatbed. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-4.jpg</photo1><caption1>6 year-old Mia McCracken, Scranton, tries to stay warm on her father&#8217;s flatbed. </caption1><photoCredit1>Marcella Kester | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Attendees line the streets of Downtown Scranton for the annual Saint Patrick&#8217;s Parade Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-5.jpg</photo2><caption2>Attendees line the streets of Downtown Scranton for the annual Saint Patrick&#8217;s Parade Saturday. </caption2><photoCredit2>Marcella Kester | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Parade goers wave to participants along the route during the annual Scranton Saint Patrick&#8217;s Day Parade. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Parade goers wave to participants along the route during the annual Scranton Saint Patrick&#8217;s Day Parade. </caption3><photoCredit3>Marcella Kester | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Ella Snook, 2, holds her balloon as she watches floats pass by. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Saint-Pat-3.jpg</photo4><caption4>Ella Snook, 2, holds her balloon as she watches floats pass by. </caption4><photoCredit4>Marcella Kester | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Marcella Kester</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Fans of the Irish bundle up for Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade