The Ancient Order of Hibernians, Alec Campbell, Mauch Chunk Division I, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mollie Maguire Division 1, Carbon County, held their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal Dinner at Dean Anthony’s Banquet Hall, Jim Thorpe, on Friday evening, honoring Noel and Bernadette Behan, co-grand marshals of the annual parade.

The dinner program was a prelude to the 21st annual line of march that will step off at 1 p.m. Sunday on Upper Broadway in the county-seat community, then proceed downtown to the business district where thousands of viewers are expected.

Introduced by master of ceremonies Ronald Sheehan, Jim Thorpe, the Behans, also of Jim Thorpe, have played a prominent role in the annual Carbon County St. Patrick’s Day Parade since its inception in 1997, when Noel Behan and Sheehan conceived the idea that has now grown to an event that attracts about 10,000 to the county.

The Behans will be the first-ever immigrants to lead the parade. They hail from Dublin, Ireland, having established residency in Jim Thorpe 25 years ago.

The co-grand marshals honor comes in a year in which they are also celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

As is custom for the evening, the co-grand marshals were escorted by bagpiper James Ruhl through last night’s audience of well-wishers, after which time they were adorned in Irish sashes, presented by Hugh Dugan, Jim Thorpe, who with Noel Behan serves as parade committee co-chairmen.

Also recognized during Friday night’s festivities were four people who will serve as aides to the grand marshals. They include Pat Crowley and Joseph Kennedy, both of Jim Thorpe; Marcia Evans of Lake Hauto; and Kathy Crampsie of Summit Hill.

AOH President Don Riley presented the sashes to Crowley and Kennedy while LAOH President Mary Figura draped aides Evans and Crampsie with sashes.

The program also featured announcement of the 2018 LAOH Hibernian of the Year. The honor went to Figura.

A special presentation was made by Riley to Mike Brennan, outgoing recording secretary, while Dugan presented an award to Chuck Thamarus, who is relinquishing his duties as the parade’s Division Chairman, to be succeeded by Ed Coll.

Bernadette Behan presented an award to Betty Lou McBride, LAOH member, for her having played a key role in the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas program for 20 years.

The dinner program was dedicated to the Shriners Hospital. In its honor, Dugan and Behan presented a $1,000 check to the facility.

Recognized during the event were officers of the two sponsoring organizations. They include:

AOH: president, Riley; vice president, Daniel Evans; recording secretary, Josh Jacobs; financial secretary, Dugan; treasurer, Behan; sentinel, John Barry; marshal, Coll; historian, Robert Lee; chaplain, Monsignor John Chizmar; press relations, Sheehan; and veterans liaison, Coll.

LAOH: president, Figura; vice president, Peggy Sue O’Donnell; recording secretary, Sharon Choley; financial secretary, Kathleen Ahner; treasurer, Bernadette McGinley; sentinel, Maureen Foster; historian, Behan; Catholic Action, Kay Carroll; Missions/Charities, Mary Kay Malaska; chaplain, Monsignor Chizmar; mistress-at-arms, Rita O’Donnell; and Freedom for all Ireland/Immigration and Legislation, Carroll.

In addition to Dugan and Behan serving as co-chairmen, the 2018 parade committee includes: Joan O’Donnell, general administration; Mary Kay Malaska, treasurer; Joan O’Donnell and Sheehan, press/government relations; Behan, entertainment; Bernadette Behan, Jean O’Donnell and Colleen Clauser, program/fundraising; Chuck Thamarus, Edward Coll, Michael Brennan and Sean McFadden, parade divisions; Gerald McFadden and Marcia Evans, Mass; Joan O’Donnell, Colleen Clauser and Mary Kay Malaska, transportation; Julie McDonald, social media; and Victor Izzo, parade weekend photographer.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by the Kerry Dancers and D.J. Sean McFadden. AOH member Clem McGinley asked the invocation and pronounced the benediction.

The U.S. national anthem was sung by Dennis Nester while Molly Behan, granddaughter of the co-grand marshals, sang Ireland’s national anthem.

The festivities relating to parade weekend will continue today with the annual St. Patrick’s Mass to be celebrated at 4:30 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.