St. Patrick's Day Parade steps off today

For much of the year, Western Wayne High School senior April Krayer had been looking forward to marching with her fellow color guard members during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Scranton today.

But medical complications that began in December with her gallbladder put her participation in doubt. Nonetheless, after two surgeries and multiple hospital stays, April is walking in today's parade.

"It's fun and exciting," April said.

The parade, conducted by the St. Patrick's Parade Association of Lackawanna County, kicks off for the 51st time today at 11:45 a.m. in front of St. Peter's Cathedral.

Parade route city streets are painted with a green stripe, while 37 Irish flags adorn poles. Street vendors and businesses are ready for the thousands of people expected to flood the downtown. It is a day of celebration of the city's Irish tradition, as well as family and friends, under what are expected to be sunny to partly cloudy skies.

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