Did I Hear Something About A Parade?
A few days ago, my sister Jamie called me from Virginia. She told me that she and her husband will have a Spring Break from school and invited her siblings to come out. I’ve been to Washington DC before, but my wife has not so we told her that we would come out and hang with them for a few days.
Since I was heading out that way, I figured I’d drop by Scranton as well and see this town that I know so well now.
As it turns out, we’ll be out there from March 9th - 13th so I figured we’d just fly into the Philadelphia airport and make the drive up to Scranton to take part in this famous “Scranton Saint Patrick’s Parade.” (Don’t worry, we won’t take the slow train from Philly.”
So, I’m reaching out to the plethora of Scranton readers that we have here at LITO. THe site says that the parade starts at 11:45. Would one expect activites, long lines, good food, before the parade?
And just so you know, my family and I are going to hit as many places as we can that were mentioned in the Lazy Scranton song.
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January 23rd, 2007 15:00
Make sure to try the “tasty bread” they serve at Cugino’s in Dunmore. (my hometown, mentioned in Lazy Scranton) If you recall in “Branch closing,” Angela made a face at Kevin and said “We’re not going all the way to Dunmore.” (It’s about 2 miles from downtown Scranton.)
January 23rd, 2007 15:06
wow Brian….i wish i could go. that would be freakin SWEET!!
January 23rd, 2007 15:15
Bob, that’s the kind of tip I like, thanks!
January 23rd, 2007 15:37
Dude! You’re so lucky! I’ve always wanted to go to Scranton! (well, for the last couple of years anyways) Make sure you place plenty Scranton photos up, especially of places mentioned in the show.
January 23rd, 2007 16:12
I graduated from the University of Scranton in 2005 and one of the best places to park is in the parking garage under the Steamtown Mall. As long as you enter/leave through the actual mall, it’s highly unlikely they’ll ticket/tow your car.
Most of the bars near the parade route open early—like 7am—but are generally packed by mid-morning. However, the University has break starting on parade day so the lines might be slightly shorter.
January 23rd, 2007 16:13
I hope you go to Poor Richard’s. I feel like that’s the Real Scranton Location they mention the most.
January 23rd, 2007 16:25
People start drinking in town around 7:00 a.m. At home way before then.
January 23rd, 2007 17:06
I’ll be there, too! Fun times in store.
January 23rd, 2007 18:11
Brian, you’ll want to stand at the corner of Wyoming and Mulberry downtown. That is the street corner featured during the opening credits. I guarantee you will start humming the theme song!
January 23rd, 2007 20:29
Aww Brian I’m so jealous!
January 23rd, 2007 20:51
Get there early, like 7 am as others mentioned.
Hit Farley’s (across the street from the facade of the “Office” office). You can get shots of the Electric City sign from there too.
Other decent downtown bars - The Bog, Molly Brannigan’s, The Banshee (see a theme here?), and others I am forgetting since I no longer live there. Poor Richards is not close to the parade route.
If you are going to Cugino’s, head to Bishop O’Hara (just a few blocks up Drinker St) to ses Toby and Katy’s (and my) alma mater, which is merging w/ Bishop Hannan next year.
While downtown, you must get a Texas Weiner from Coney Island, but go to the one under the bridge, its the original.
January 23rd, 2007 21:16
Need to correct my previous post - Farley’s is a block down from the Office facade. My bad.
January 24th, 2007 06:25
Cooper’s Seafood is not on the parade route, but its close. Its a nice restaurant.
January 24th, 2007 06:43
we wanted to go but no hotel room in parade area…
January 24th, 2007 11:24
Hey Brian,
I’ve been in the parade most of the last twenty years. Two years ago I did parade coverage on the street for WYOU TV, the local CBS affiliate which airs a few hours of the festivities every year, but I opted not to do that anymore. Being IN the parade is a lot more fun.
Lots of good advice above. Farley’s, Tink’s, Whistle’s Pub and Eatery, The Banshee (won’t be able to get near it if you’re not there early), the Bog. Jammed to capacity all of them, and then some. Literally one in, one out at points during the day. But all excellent downtown watering holes. Poor Richards is in the South Side Bowling Lanes and is a few blocks from downtown. The only parade you’ll see there will be on TV. Decent place though.
Good luck in line for the restrooms. Lots of them bring in Port-O-Potties for the sidewalks out front.
Parking? Get there early AM or good luck, at least for parking on the street. Parking garages fill quickly too. Even the Mall at Steamtown where Rainn Wilson appeared a few weeks ago will fill early. I think it’s open at 10 but maybe earlier on Parade Day.
Nothing you’ve heard about the parade is an exaggeration. Be prepared!
The police (there’ll be a lot of them) are not looking for a problem if they can help it so discretion is the key if you plan to violate the open-container law. Drinks in a bag and you’re not swinging from a lamppost or trying to get onto a float, you should be good.
A no-smoking ordinance just went into effect in Scranton two weeks ago. They’re having a rough time getting the bar owners to love it. I’m guessing there’s no hope anyone will try to enforce it on Parade Day.
Best vantage point? Anywhere really is good but probably the best is along Washington Avenue between Spruce and Linden. The reviewing stand and TV folks are there, closer to the corner of Washington and Linden which just so happens to be 50 yards from Tink’s and 75 yards from Farley’s.
Here’s the parade website for a few pics, etc.
http://www.stpatparade.com/
Hope to see you there Brian. I’ll be with the Scranton Times and Rock107 contingent. Maybe driving a Yamaha work ATV dealie or possibly my motorcycle this year.
See you on Parade Day!
John Webster
webster@rock107.com
webster107.blogspot.com
January 24th, 2007 11:29
John, great info.
Luckily, I’m not a drinker or smoker so I shouldn’t have to worry about the filled bars and such. But, I love the “where to eat” and “where to stand” tips. I’ll definitely take those with me.
Also, if I see you, I’ll try to get thru you posse to introduce myself. That’d be great.
January 24th, 2007 11:56
Brian, keep your eyes peeled for “The Office” film crew, long-rumored to be attending the parade. They’ll probably be incognito, though, so they can film candid scenes of the boisterous merrymaking.
January 24th, 2007 12:16
People always think that the stories about lines forming at the bars before the parade at 7 am are a joke, but in all seriousness, they’re dead right. Banshee and Farley’s were always packed… always.
If you’ve never been in a coal mine before, there’s always the enjoyable coal mine tour which is extremely close to the Antracite Museum that is featured in Lazy Scranton (http://www.anthracitemuseum.org/). I always suggest Cooper’s for those who like seafood (there’s some decent chicken dishes for those who don’t). If I were you, I’d try to track down a Froggy 101 bumper sticker while you’re at the parade, it might be hard to find a Red Baron’s bobblehead as the team is now the Yankees affiliate and has changed names to the S/W-B Yankees.
January 24th, 2007 14:38
Thank you all for planning our trip to Scranton! Now I am REALLY excited! I just hope it isn’t freezing. Any advice on weather in March?
January 24th, 2007 20:03
We’re not kidding. Get there early. The bars are open and in full party mode at 7 AM. Last year, the weather was gorgeous, high in the 60s, but it has also been in the teens in years past. That opening shot is not on Mulberry and Wyoming, but one block east on Mulberry and North Washington. It was filmed by Jim Halpert a few doors down from Scranton City Hall. Look for the Dunder-Mifflin flag in front of City Hall. If you want to see where the Welcome to Scranton sign, as seen in the opening credits, used to be, you will have to take the exit for the Central Scranton Expressway off I-81. The houses in the background are still there but the sign was recently updated. Poor Richard’s is not a St. Patrick’s parade day kind of bar.
January 25th, 2007 09:11
Weather, I have been at the Parade in Rain and Snow, 7o degrees ( that was so NICE) and high 30’s. Would check the weather forcasts a few days before the parade to make sure what the twmp will be like. Generally, the 40’s to 50’s is OK.
BTW, you can’t miss Webster.
Also,not to start a Pizza war blog but if you are into Pizza, try Arcaro’s white Pizza in Old Forge ( a 10-15 minute ride) or just stay in town and try Pappas. It is in the 300 block of North Washington, near where the parade ends.
The Parade ( it should be capitalized) really is a lot of fun!
February 13th, 2007 22:36
Poor Richard’s is an AWSOME bar inside southside Bowl…near the rear of McDonald’s
All I have to say is
BANSHEE!!! its a sweet time
UofS students are on break this year (it won’t keep a majority of them away but it will be less crazy without drunke freshmen falling all over the place, which is always a good site!!!)
Pace yourself
Bring reserves (own brews in pockets)
You may have to piss in an alley or sink…
Pizza is the best bet quick and greasey
Don’t try and be cute and wear something cute…dress practical people do puke and it can be cold!
Late night in Minooka…lil Ireland
Bars there Joyce’s Judges, Diskn’s O’malley’s Penlty Box and suzies which I have never been.
February 27th, 2007 11:22
So, I am def ready for my 7th Parade day (UofS alum, 2004). I guess the cast will not be coming up this year? Maybe some crew there to take some video anyway…?