The Biggest St. Patrick's Day Parade

The town we live in does not have a lot to brag about. Located in the middle of the rust-belt, this one-time thriving metropolis is a shadow of its former self - many still believing that the resurgence will begin when the labor unions save the day and bring back the steel mills.

The newbies to the area know nothing of this - we simply moved here to take advantage of the lowest cost of living in the nation, and the BEST environment to raise children.

Probably the most anticipated event of the year, for both old and new Valley residents, is the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade - dubbed the largest in the eastern half of the United States.


When I say largest, I don't necessarily mean large floats or bands. I mean large in length - over two hours featuring every politician, mom and pop business and previously unknown organization - parading and promoting.

Everyone becomes Irish on this day. In this area of ethnic diversity - it was fun to watch all the Italian names going from "gallito and traficanti" to "o-gallito and O-traficanti". Even the biggest success to come out of the Valley in years, our own Middle Weight Boxing Champion of the World has the first name "Kelly"!



So today, we brag and celebrate. We may not live in the most glamorous or thriving part of our nation - but we do know how to throw a good party!