Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade: What you need to know for 2024

Nico Rossi
·5 min read

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Scranton Saint Patrick’s Parade, or “Parade Day”, kicks off Saturday, March 9, at 11:45 a.m. and those who plan on attending are getting ready for one of the largest annual celebrations in Lackawanna County.

According to the Scranton Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee, the parade is the second largest in the nation based on population and attracts over 12,000 participants including Irish groups and societies, bagpipers, high school and string bands, elaborate floats, and Irish dancers.

2024 Saint Patrick’s Parades in Northeastern PA

Scranton’s 62nd Annual Saint Patrick’s Parade kicks off the weekend before the feast of Saint Patrick, Saturday, March 09, at 11:45 a.m., and entry forms to participate in the festivities are now open.

The official deadline to submit a parade entry form is Thursday, February 29, at 12:00 a.m., and parade entry fees are as follows:

Parade entry fees must be received within seven days of application submissions and may be paid online or mailed to:

Saint Patrick’s Parade Association of Lackawanna County Inc.
P.O. Box 25
Scranton, PA 18501

All Entry Fees must be received within seven days of application submission.

Scranton Saint Patrick’s Parade Route

The parade route will begin at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Wyoming Avenue. Those participating will march toward Linden Street, taking a left turn onto Lackawanna Avenue, which turns into Jefferson Avenue. Participants will then turn left onto Spruce Street, followed by a final right turn onto North Washington Avenue.

The parade will begin at 11:45 a.m. following a morning mass at Saint Peter’s Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. and The Brian P. Kelly Memorial 2-Mile Footrace at 11:00 a.m.

Brian P. Kelly Memorial Race

The Brian P. Kelly Memorial Race is in honor of the 2004 St. Patrick’s Parade Association President who lost a year-and-a-half-long battle with cancer on January 24, 2004. This year, proceeds from the race will benefit Scranton Detective Kyle Gilmartin (pictured below) and his family after Detective Gilmartin was seriously injured after he and fellow officers were ambushed by an armed individual earlier this year.

<strong>Courtesy: Pennsylvania State Police</strong>
Courtesy: Pennsylvania State Police

The Brian P. Kelly Memorial Race, sponsored by Geisinger, will begin sharply at 11:00 a.m. on the day of the parade so that all runners have time to pass the turn-around point quickly enough so it doesn’t hold up the parade.

It is a 2-mile course that is relatively flat with some gently rolling hills. The course will be run entirely on the parade route. It will be an out-and-back course.

Officials ask that participants stay to the right at all times so they don’t interfere with the other runners. It will start in front of the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 North Washington Avenue, and follow the parade route backward to the 1-mile turnaround point in front of St Peter’s Cathedral at the intersection of Wyoming Avenue and Linden Street. The race will finish back in front of the Scranton Cultural Center.

REGISTRATION

Registration is $15 and begins at 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the Lackawanna College Student Union Center at 600 Jefferson Avenue. Registration will end promptly so that runners will have time to get to the starting line.

Online pre-registration costs $12 and is also available through the Scranton Running Company. To pre-register online, click here. A printable form with mailing instructions is available in the link and race numbers and t-shirts may be picked up at the same time and location as day-of registration. Preregistration will end a week before the race.

Sponsors provide souvenir T-shirts which will be given to the first 100 registered runners.

AWARDS

The awards ceremony will be held at the same location as registration after the race and is expected to conclude no later than 12:00 p.m.

Medals will be awarded to the top 2 male and female runners in the following age categories: 12 and under, 13-17, 18-22, 23-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64 and 65+.

The Scranton Running Company, located at 3 West Olive Street, Scranton, will host a Friday Packet Pickup for preregistered runners the day before the race on Friday, March 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Rain Date

If the parade is postponed due to severe weather, the race will also be postponed and held on the same day. Stay tuned to the 28/22 News Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade page for any special announcements.

Road Closures and Parking Restrictions on Parade Day

Scranton streets will close at 9:30 a.m. on Parade Day but parking is available in downtown Scranton around the parade route. Arriving early before the streets begin to close is a visitor’s best bet to find a parking spot.

Also, parking restrictions will go into effect at 6:00 a.m. and will remain so until 5:00 p.m. The following blocks are posted “No Parking,”:

  • 200, 300, and 400 blocks of Mulberry Street;

  • 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 blocks of Wyoming Avenue;

  • 100, 200, 300, and 400 blocks of North Washington Avenue;

  • 300, 400, 500, and 600 blocks of Linden Street

  • 300, 400, 500, and 600 blocks of Biden Way.

  • 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 blocks of Lackawanna Avenue

  • 100, 200, and 300 blocks of Adams Avenue

  • 100 block of Jefferson Avenue

  • 400 block of Penn Avenue

Additional restrictions may be put into place, so be sure to check for “No Parking” signs before parking your vehicle in the downtown area.

Parking at the Steamtown Mall is also available and visitors can visit Scranton’s parking website to learn more.

Important Things to know for Parade Day

If anyone is interested in becoming a vendor during the parade they should contact the City of Scranton’s Licensing, Inspections, and Permits Office at (570) 348-4193 or by email at licensing@scrantonpa.gov.

Also, if anyone wishes to volunteer on Parade Day, contact parade officials by visiting their website.

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