This year’s Lower Burrell St. Patrick’s Day Parade had more participants, more candy and, toward the tail end, more rain than ever before.
But gloomy skies didn’t keep hundreds of spectators clad in green from lining Leechburg Road for the city’s fifth annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
The parade kicked off at 11 a.m. and lasted about 30 minutes.
More than 100 cars, firetrucks, side-by-sides, bikes — even a tractor — made their way from Stewart Elementary School to the Hillcrest Shopping Center.
By the estimation of organizers Leslie Zellers and Terry McClain, that’s a record.
“Every year, it just keeps getting larger, and every year, it’s more and more fun,” Zellers said.
Last year, that fun had a somber undertone as the community mourned David “Mogie” Magill, who was shot and killed outside of his restaurant, Mogie’s Irish Pub, less than three months earlier. He’s credited with helping to form the first parade in 2021.
On Saturday, many revelers went straight to the pub after the parade to keep the fun going.
And while Magill certainly won’t be forgotten, Mayor Chris Fabry said, this year’s event had a lighter feel.
“Everyone can kind of let loose this year,” he said.
