A year after bidding farewell to the parade he helped establish in Girardville, John "Mouche" McNelis will be leading the march Saturday at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Pottsville.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm honored," McNelis said about serving as grand marshal for the 39th edition of the city's parade.
Sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians John F. Kennedy Div. 2, the annual celebration of Irish heritage will step off at 11 a.m. on West Market Street. The parade will form at 10 a.m. between 12th and 14th streets. It will travel east on Market to Second Street, then south to Mahantongo Street, east to Centre Street, north to Laurel Boulevard and west to Third Street, where it will end.
Highlighted by the parade, events are planned throughout the day to honor St. Patrick.
The day will kick off with Mass at 8 a.m. at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Mahantongo Street. The ceremony will honor the deceased members of the men's and ladies' divisions of the AOH.
A buffet breakfast will follow at 8:45 a.m. at Trippin' Billie's, 114 N. Centre St. The meal is open to the public. Tickets are $10 and reservations can be made by calling 570-622-1917.
During the breakfast, the Grand Marshal's Plaque will be presented to McNelis. According to a press release from the AOH, McNelis was unanimously voted to be this year's grand marshal.
Originally a member of the AOH John F. Kennedy Div. 2, McNelis, Mahanoy City, moved on to become a charter member of the Jack Kehoe Div. 1 in Girardville. For the last 10 years, he has served as chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Girardville. The event has become one of the largest annual celebrations in the region, more than tripling the borough's population on parade day. In 2008, the parade was attended by former President Bill Clinton.
McNelis said he is not used to receiving recognition for his work.
"I'm totally blown away," he said. "To get it from my peers is really something."
He said the event will be extra special because Humane Fire Company No. 1, Mahanoy City, of which he is a member, received permission to attend the parade. The company is known for its lime green firetruck adorned with shamrocks and a phrase on the back written in Gaelic, "The Irish to the rescue."
The day's festivities will conclude with a Grand Irish Party from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Humane Fire Company, Third Street and Laurel Boulevard. Entertainment will be provided by Celtheart, an Irish band from New Jersey.
Admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door the day of the party. Tickets are available at Murphy's Jewelers, Trippin' Billie's and the fire company. They can also be purchased through members of the AOH and LAOH or by calling parade Chairman Leo Haley at 570-622-1917.
Pottsville police have issued parking restrictions for Saturday's parade.
Police said restrictions will be in place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on the south side of Market Street and the west side of Centre Street.
Police said any vehicles not moved from the designated locations will be ticketed and towed at the expense of the owner if deemed necessary by police.
In addition, minor traffic flow restrictions will be enacted in the area beginning at 10 a.m. Residents should be aware that once traffic restrictions are in place, any vehicles parked along the parade route will not be permitted to move until the conclusion of the event to ensure the safety of all those involved.
While St. Patrick's Day is celebrated across the country by many people, McNelis said the day is important for people of Irish decent to show off their pride for their heritage.
"It's a nice parade and that's what it's all about," he said.