Girardville dedicating its St. Patrick's Day parade to first responders

Mar. 9—The recent deaths of two firefighters in West Penn Twp. inspired Girardville to dedicate its 21st St. Patrick's Day parade to first responders, the parade committee announced.

"We decided to dedicate it to first responders after hearing of the deaths of two New Tripoli firefighters," said Joseph Wayne, parade committee chairman.

"Honoring Volunteer Firemen," a five-division parade with marching bands, floats and antique vehicles, is scheduled to step off at noon March 25 in Girardville.

Mike Kitsock, grand marshal, will lead the parade in an antique firetruck from the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society museum in Shenandoah.

An active volunteer fireman for 53 years, Kitsock is a founding member of the historical fire society.

He has been a certified Pennsylvania state fire instructor since 1986 and remains active in the Norwegian Twp. Seltzer Hose Company and West End Fire & Rescue in Mahanoy City.

"I was surprised when Joe Wayne called me and asked if I would be grand marshal," said Kitsock, 69, a Pottsville resident. "I'm humbled; it's a very humbling experience."

The parade committee is still looking for food truck and stationary vendors to work the parade.

The trucks and vendors will be located in the busiest sections of the parade route, and can operate from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

The registration fee per roaming cart is $250, while the fee per stand is $50, payable by check made out to the Girardville Parade Committee.

Permits can be picked up the day of the parade at Girardville Borough Hall, Fourth and B streets, and must be displayed on all vehicles the day of the parade.

The parade, billed as "the biggest little St. Patrick's Day Parade," traditionally attracts thousands of visitors to Girardville.

Vendors can reserve a spot along the parade route by visiting www.girardvilleparade.com and selecting Parade Vendor Registration Form under the Registration tab.

For more information, email Wayne at jjw1941@ptd.net.