BOARDMAN - Tens of Thousands of Youngstown area residents gathered on Market Street Sunday afternoon for the 48th annual Mahoning Valley St. Patrick's Parade.

The event is one of the largest parades in Ohio and draws around 25,000 to 30,000 visitors each year.

First responders, local businesses, and regional organizations marched down the parade route.

This year's theme was "Forever Green: Remembering Our Own."

The parade's grand marshal was Judy Higgins-Reardon, a Youngstown native and funeral director.

Higgins-Reardon's uncle Bill Ockerman was one of the parade's founding members.

"It's very important for people to remember where we all came from, and how we can keep this community going and thriving, and how we can bring young people back to the community so it can be carried on for generations," she said.

Youngstown resident Jeanne Barnes says she feels the parade is not just a community gathering, but a celebration of her Irish heritage.

"It means everything because I taught my family to be proud they were Irish," she said.

Anthony Peebles, who has visited the parade for most of his life, says he enjoys the band of bagpipe players the most.

"I don't know why, I guess I kinda like the musical tone," he said.

The Magic Tree Pub and Eatery on South Avenue hosted a parade after party from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m, and will host more events until St. Patrick's Day on Tues. March 15.

21 WFMJ is a proud sponsor of the St. Patrick's Parade.