www.westendlivingmag.com
SPRING 2015
West End Living
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West End ready for “Wearin’ o’ the GREEN”
Neighborhood serves as hub for St. Patrick’s festivities It’s commonly said that “everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.” And if you’re really in the mood to get your green on, there’s no better place than Allentown’s West End. Every year, it becomes “Shamrock Central,” with a massive traditional parade and other family-friendly festivities that unfold over the third weekend in March. “For decades, the typical image of St. Patrick’s Day was of heavy drinking and a guy in a green suit on March 17,” said John A. Chaya, president of the Allentown Saint Patrick’s Parade Committee, Inc. “But we wanted to change the community’s perception of Irish heritage, and show them that it involves sports, music, crafts, dancing and more.” And the group’s efforts have done just that. Let’s take a look at some of this year’s major events. Parade pub crawl fundraiser The sixth iteration of this annual event starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. “The first pub crawl really changed the dynamic,” Chaya said. “It helped us raise enough money to afford five or
Sean and Kimberly Gallagher, (above) 2014 King and Queen of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade. Greg and Roey Ebert are the 2015 King and Queen and will ride in the parade. The 2015 St. Patrick’s Parade will feature more than 100 marching units and nearly two dozen bands.
six pipe bands that year. The establishments get a good boost in business, too; last year, 1,800 people participated.” Each group of people starts at a particular pub, and moves along in a counter-clockwise fashion. The 2015 edition includes stops at Jack Callaghan’s Ale House, the Liberty
St. Tavern, Stooges, the Roost, Main Gate, the Shanty on 19th, Volpe’s sports bar, Roosevelt’s 21, and Greg’s West End Saloon. Free Irish Cultural Community Day Celebrate the riches of Irish culture during the 2nd annual
Irish Community Day on March 21 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Agri-Plex Annex -- hours of fun, that won’t cost you a nickel, and all of it family-friendly! It will be a lively mix of demonstrations, instructions, explanations and descriptions of the true Irish heritage. Come prepared to become part of the fun – audience participation is practically required! Scheduled performers include: n O’Grady-Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance n Pipe Major James Ruhf n Angela Faidley , painting an Irish themed mural n The Lehigh Valley Hurling Club (like field hockey…with an Irish twist!) n King Greg and Queen Roey Ebert n An Irish ceili demonstration – live musicians with singing and dancing n Alison Gillespie, fiddler And much more!
Coronation celebration Every St. Patrick’s parade needs a king and queen, so all are invited to salute Their Royal Majesties Greg and Roey Ebert at their coronation celebration on March 20. The 6 p.m. - midnight event takes place in the Allentown Fairgrounds Agri-Plex. Tickets for the 6 p.m. dinner are $15 per person/$5 for children (advance only); admission to the 7:30 p.m. coronation celebration is $15 per person in advance or $18 at the door. It’s open to the public, so come on out and celebrate the “royalty.” West End St. Patrick’s 5K race
The seventh annual West End St. Patrick’s 5K starts at
SPRING 2015 www.westendlivingmag.com
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