When the 35th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade runs its course down Market St. on Sun., Mar. 15 at 1:00 p.m., leading the ensemble of floats, crazies, marchers and politicians will be Grand Marshal Dick Coughlin.
      Coughlin is no stranger to the St. Pat’s Parade. He is a past recipient of the Bill Ockerman Award that recognizes outstanding contributions to the parade.
      A retired mail carrier, Coughlin is know widely known as the owner of the House of Erin, 5136 Southern Blvd. in Boardman. The House of Erin was first opened in 1995 and is the area’s only, authentic Irish gift shop.
      Also in the lead positions in this year’s parade will be Boardman Police Chief Jack Nichols, as Lord Mayor of Kilkenny, while Tom Eich is this year’s Ockerman Award recipient; and the Cleary Awards will honor Terry Brennan.
      The 37th annual parade, recognized as one of the largest St. Pat’s parades in Ohio, will be dedicated to the memory of past president Timothy Mulholland.
      Master of ceremonies for the event will be local television personality Casey Malone.
      Joyce Kale-Pesta is president of the Mahoning Valley St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Other members of the committee include Malone, director; Robb Kale, treasurer; Sharon Sabatka, secretary; and Jason Calinger, head marshal.
      Parade committee members are Tom Butler, Terry Brennan, Joe Calinger, Pat Chrystal, Marilyn Carroll, Julaine Gilmartin, James ‘Muggsy’ McGuinness, Dolly Milick, John Sheridan, Mary Jane Venitti and Grant Williams.
      Serving as parade marshals are Jack Filak, Bill Leskovec, Paul Dolak, Jason Calinger, Ted Stipanovich, Tony Barbessi, Tim Philibin, Anthony Sabatka, Terry Coyle, Mike Cook, Brian Kelly, Matt Hlebak, Joe Illencik III, Doug Sherl, Joe Illencik Sr., Mike Timlin, Gus Gustafson, Lenny Sefcik, Ed Maloney, Jim Doran, Ray Kelly IV, Tom Eich, Tim Kelly, John Eich, Anthony Wanio and Rob Pappas.
      The St. Patrick’s Parade will begin at the Boardman Township Government Center, Market St. at Roche Way, to Market St. at Southwoods Dr. Annually, upwards of 20,000 to 25,000 people line the roadway to watch the event. Theme of this year’s parade is For The Love of Erin.