Lower Burrell holds St. Patrick's Day parade for local folks in spite of bitter cold

Ellie Ogurchock of Upper Burrell was the first youngster to arrive along the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade route Saturday along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell.

“I’m here for the good candy,” said Ogurchock, 5, who attended with her mother.

Dozens of parade-goers braved overnight snowfall, temperatures in the low 20s and wind gusts during the 20-minute parade.

“The weather sure was nice last year,” said Jolene Ogurchock, who came prepared with a heavy-duty blanket to wrap her daughter in while they waited for the parade to kickoff. “I’m surprised there’s not more people out— but it’s so cold.”

Organizers said Mother Nature wasn’t stopping the parade.

“The parade is such a wonderful community event, and my favorite part is the joy on the faces of the children who are so excited to see the parade,” said parade volunteer Leslie Uncapher-Zellers of Allegheny Township.

The parade route began at Stewart Elementary School and ended at the Hillcrest Shopping Center.

Fire trucks from several companies participated: Lower Burrell No. 1 and No. 2, Springdale, Arnold No. 2 and New Kensington Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 5.

This was the second year for the parade. Uncapher-Zellers, Terry McClain and others created a parade last year during the covid-19 pandemic to get people out of the house.

“Everything had been canceled, and we have been cloistered inside so long because of the pandemic. A parade seemed like a nice way to have the community come together in a safe way,” Uncapher-Zellers said.

Casey Cavanaugh of Harrison brought his daughter, Brooke, 2, to watch her older sister participate in the parade.

Cavanaugh said events like these are part of the fabric of small-town America.

“This is our first time here, and it’s very important to bring the community together,” he said.