Read last year's st. patrick's day article |
As St. Patrick’s Day arrived, many of Youngstown’s annual traditions did as well. One of the most popular local events this time of year is the Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This year marks 44 years of celebrating Irish heritage in Youngstown with this unique event. After 44 years of marching, it is wondered how the parade came to be. |
Back in 1979, local radio personality, Pete Gabriel, brainstormed the idea with his coworker, John Nagy. The conversation started with a simple question, “Is there a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Youngstown?”
After finding out there was no such celebration, Gabriel made it his mission to make the parade happen.
“Okay, let’s do it!” he said in an interview with Casey Malone, which aired on WFMJ in 2021.
While Gabriel was a radio host for WKBN at the time, he advertised spots in the parade.
“All you had to do was give us a call, and we would put a parade together,” Gabriel said.
Immediately, people started to call in to be a part of the parade. One call was even about donating a limousine to Gabriel, Nagy, and their wives for the march. Another call brought a message from the Chaney High School marching band offering their time and talent to Pete and his celebration. As parade spots started to fill, Pete realized that he was missing the Irish touch.
The last step for setting up the parade was including Irish step dancers and lines of bagpipe players.
The parade was advertised from Jan. 25, 1979 to March 17, 1979. The first ever march was held on St. Patrick’s Day itself, and was walked through downtown Youngstown in front of a crowd of 5,000 people. It was a huge success through the valley, leading the parade to continue for years to come. Gabriel was able to coordinate the parade for around 15 years before turning leadership over to a committee that still runs the event today.
Now, the parade is celebrated the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day every year. This year, the event was held on Sunday, March 13 at 1pm on Market Street, and was expecting 25,000-30,000 spectators from all different ages. Irish or not, everyone is welcome to celebrate the holiday with a celebration that’s become a staple in the Mahoning Valley.
After finding out there was no such celebration, Gabriel made it his mission to make the parade happen.
“Okay, let’s do it!” he said in an interview with Casey Malone, which aired on WFMJ in 2021.
While Gabriel was a radio host for WKBN at the time, he advertised spots in the parade.
“All you had to do was give us a call, and we would put a parade together,” Gabriel said.
Immediately, people started to call in to be a part of the parade. One call was even about donating a limousine to Gabriel, Nagy, and their wives for the march. Another call brought a message from the Chaney High School marching band offering their time and talent to Pete and his celebration. As parade spots started to fill, Pete realized that he was missing the Irish touch.
The last step for setting up the parade was including Irish step dancers and lines of bagpipe players.
The parade was advertised from Jan. 25, 1979 to March 17, 1979. The first ever march was held on St. Patrick’s Day itself, and was walked through downtown Youngstown in front of a crowd of 5,000 people. It was a huge success through the valley, leading the parade to continue for years to come. Gabriel was able to coordinate the parade for around 15 years before turning leadership over to a committee that still runs the event today.
Now, the parade is celebrated the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day every year. This year, the event was held on Sunday, March 13 at 1pm on Market Street, and was expecting 25,000-30,000 spectators from all different ages. Irish or not, everyone is welcome to celebrate the holiday with a celebration that’s become a staple in the Mahoning Valley.