The 13th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade that is organized by the Girardville Parade Committee will start at noon Saturday, rain or shine. The annual parade is planned by Girardville Parade Committee and is sponsored by the Jack Kehoe Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians of Girardville.

The 2016 year's parade is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising that took place in Ireland in 1916. The parade will also continue to salute the Irish Heritage and the Coal Region Culture of the Anthracite Region.The Girardville AOH President Joseph Wayne announced that there will be a special grand marshal of this year's parade: Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who was sworn in as Pennsylvania's 33rd lieutenant governor on Jan. 20, 2015. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate representing the 5th District before being elected as lieutenant governor. He serves as presiding officer of the state senate, chairs the Emergency Management Council and the Board of Pardons.He is a captain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and serves as a Judge Advocate General for the 28th Infantry Division. Stack's mother, Judge Felice Rowley Stack, was born and raised in the area of Girardville. She had many relatives who were descendants of Irish immigrants who worked the Schuylkill County anthracite coalfields. She started her career as a teacher and later retired a Judge of the Municipal Court in Philadelphia.Entries can register up until 11:30 a.m. at the Girardville Borough Hall. Groups and individuals who wish to be in the parade should go to the late registration early on parade day. It will ensure a better spot in the parade lineup for those who want to participate. Registrants can also register at the parade website,

www.Girardvilleirishparade.com. Groups can also mail their organization information, including the name and type of organization and number of marchers to the parade committee, 30 S. Third St., Frackville, PA 17931.For more information, call parade manager Stephen Barrett at 570-872-3358.Maps of the parade route and activities can be found at the parade website.