GIRARDVILLE - As parade chairman, John P. "Mouch" McNelis has never walked in the borough's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The only time he was in the parade was as a member of security when former President Bill Clinton participated in the event in 2008.
That changes this year as McNelis and his wife will be bringing up the rear of the parade in what will be his last time as parade chairman.
"I have chaired all 10 parades but I have now decided to retire," McNelis said in a prepared statement. "Both my wife, Nancy, and I would like to thank everyone for your support over the past 10 years. It has been a great experience as we have met a lot of great people. We made many friends from both near and afar through this parade. Again, we thank you for your support and we ask that everybody continues to support the parade committee in the future years."
On Tuesday, McNelis did not know who would be taking over the responsibilities.
"It was a lot of work but it's just time to move on. I just can't dedicate the time to it I have in the past," McNelis said Tuesday. "It's something that we are proud of and it's time for someone else to take over."
The Jack Kehoe Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will host the 10th annual Girardville St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 23.
The parade starts at noon and will be honoring the churches of Girardville, which have had an important role in the borough's Irish Heritage.
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, Saint Clair, will serve as grand marshal for the parade. Holden, also a member of the Hibernians, served seven years as Schuylkill County sheriff before serving 20 years as congressman.
Holden was first elected in 1992 as congressman for the Sixth District, which included Berks, Schuylkill and part of Montgomery counties. He held that seat for 10 years before redistricting put Schuylkill County in the 17th District. In 2002, he defeated Dauphin County Republican George W. Gekas to win the 17th District where he served for the last 10 years.
Holden was defeated by Scranton lawyer Matt Cartwright in the April 24, 2012, primary election. Cartwright went on to win the Nov. 6 General Election.
McNelis said Holden has helped make the parade a success and was instrumental in bringing Clinton to the event in 2008.
This year's event kicks off with the St. Patrick's Day decorating contest the morning of March 22. All residents of Girardville and the adjacent communities of Homesville, Powdermill, Connerton, Wildcat, Preston Hill and Rappahannock are invited to decorate their homes or businesses. Judges will be from out of the area and will award cash prizes.
Parade day starts with the Irish-themed Mass at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, at 10 a.m.
There will be 35 awards presented in various categories shortly after the parade concludes. The awards ceremony will be held outside Jack Kehoe's Original Hibernian House, located at Beech and Line streets, Girardville. The winners of the decorating contest will also be announced during the ceremony.
Commemorative programs will soon be made available at various businesses in the Girardville area, as well as the Hibernian House. Programs and official parade T-shirts will also be available along the parade route for $10.
Girard Hose Company will start serving food, beer and non-alcoholic beverages at 8 a.m. There will also be live entertainment in the fire hall.
The Irish Lads will be performing at the 2nd Street Pub after the parade. The Hibernian House, The Top Cat Cafe, Girard Hose Company, The Nowhere Bar, Marrone's Restaurant and others will also feature Irish music throughout the day. Bagpipe bands will also perform throughout the borough after the parade.
The parade route will start at Fourth and Main streets and continue west on Main Street to Julia Street; north on Julia Street to Ogden Street; east on Ogden Street to Second Street; south on Second Street to A Street; east on A Street to Fourth Street; and north on Fourth Street to B Street, where it will end.
State Route 4030 from Gilberton through Mahanoy Plane will be blocked off to all traffic starting at 8:30 a.m.
No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the line of march and violators will not be eligible for prizes and subject to arrest.
Community groups, civic or fraternal organizations, high school bands, sports legends and teams, mining companies, unions, historical/cultural associations, military/veteran units, senior citizens or youth groups, speciality performers, dance groups, family groups and fire company/EMS are invited to participate in the parade.
Any person, group or business interested in taking part in the parade can get a registration form by calling parade information at 570-773-6218 or by emailing McNelis at mouche4541@verizon.net. Deadline for all parade registrations is March 17.
Registration will be held at the borough building at the corner of Fourth and B streets, directly across from the parade participant parking area.