Pittsburgh Preparing For Saint Patrick's Day Celebration
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh's Saint Patrick's Day Parade is the second or third largest in the nation, depending on who you ask. The past four years, All Pro Embroidery has produced thousands of commemorative shirts. This year's order: 3,500.
Kevin Conboy was one year old when he joined the Conboy Clan from Oakland. Now, he's a leader of the parade's volunteer committee. He says shirt sales help to support the annual event.
"It costs us between 30 and 50 thousand dollars to put on the parade. There's a lot of expenses involved with the parade. And every year we have to raise this money. And it's a total volunteer group that puts this on," he said.
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23,000 marchers, 28 floats, and 18 bands will make their way down the Boulevard of the Allies on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.
This year, Conboy and the committee have something new.
"This is the official Shamrock Shammy. First time we came out with this this year. Legend has it if you wave this in front of St. Patrick in he St. Patrick's Day Parade, you'll have luck for a year."
He expects to see those Shammies waving on Saturday, March 12th.
"It's just wonderful to see the little kids come down and the smiles on their face when the see you go by. And they wave, and smile. Just wearing of the green. It's a great day for the Irish."
