The Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade is just around the corner and the party is starting a bit early with the Pittston City St. Patrick’s Day Committee Pub Crawl on Friday, Feb. 24, at The Red Mill at 6 p.m., Knights 55 at 7:15 p.m., and the Tomato Bar at 8:30 p.m.
The pub crawl will feature the Wyoming Valley Pipe and Drum Band.
The following week, on Saturday, March 4, the 10th annual Pittston City St. Patrick’s Parade will step off at 11:30 a.m. The link to register for the parade is posted on Facebook and at https://pittstonstpatricksparade.org/.
Among the parade participants will be winners of the Little Miss and Little Mister Pittston Leprechaun contest, which will be held at the Pittston Memorial Library on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Parade day begins with Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church at 8:30 a.m.
The Leprechaun Loop run begins at 10:30 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m.
YMCA news
Greater Pittston YMCA announced the following programs are being offered:
— There will be a Learn to Play Program with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Greater Pittston YMCA. Children ages 8 to 11 will learn to play introductory street hockey, free of charge. The program aims to inspire families to join the sport of hockey without having to ice-skate. Equipment will be provided and participants don’t need to bring anything other than some water to stay hydrated. The goal is to increase access to hockey and reinforce the importance of team work and exercise. At this clinic, all participants will learn the basics of stick handling, passing and taking a shot at the net. Registration is required and limited; there’s a link online to register.
— Pickleball is offered Monday nights from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. There are limited paddles available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment, if possible. Participants will learn the rules and regulations of the game as well as some skills and maneuvers. Free for Y members; $10 for a guest pass at the front desk.
— There will be a Rookie and Youth Soccer Clinic on Thursdays, March 2 through April 6. It will be instructor led and will walk participants through the fundamentals of the game. Players will learn and enhance their soccer skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting and control. The soccer clinic will help your children learn sportsmanship, leadership and teamwork. The clinic for ages 3 to 5 will be at 5 p.m. Thursday nights, followed by ages 6 to 8 at 6 p.m. and ages 9 to 12 at 7 p.m. The sessions will last 40 minutes. Each child will receive a T-shirt. The clinic will take place in the Pittston gym. For family memberships, the cost will be $50 per child; $100 per child for non-members. Registration closes Sunday, March 5. You can register at the Greater Pittston YMCA front desk or online.
— The Y’s Spin-A-Thon will be held Saturday, March 11. Cost is $25 per bike reservation and you can choose which local spin instructor you want to work with. Each class will be 45 minutes long and you can ride with: Jenna (AnthraCycle), at 7 a.m.; Candy (YMCA), at 8 or 9 a.m.; Michaelene (MFIT), at 10 a.m.; Erica (CycleYard), at 11 a.m.; or Lou Ciampi (Mr. Bikes), at noon. Proceeds will benefit the Y’s children’s programs.
Library news
Pittston Memorial Library announced the following upcoming activities:
— The next Adult Book Club read is “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant. You can pick up a copy at the library or read it on audiobook through Cloud Library. The book discussion will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27.
— Pysanky classes will be offered Sunday, Feb. 26. There is an 11 a.m. class and a 2 p.m. class, both with limited spots. Cost is $35 per person. Call 570-654-9565 to register.
— Pittston Memorial Library is hosting the fourth annual Little Miss and Little Mister Pittston Leprechaun contest at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Contestants are asked to be there for 12:30 p.m. to check in. The contest is open to girls and boys, 3 to 7 years old. The children will be judged with 50 points for beauty and 50 points for personality. The children are asked to wear something casual and perhaps Irish themed. One boy and one girl winner will be chosen, with one runner-up each. The entry fee is $5 and prizes will be awarded. All children who participate will receive a gift for entering. Winners will be featured in the lead division of the parade on March 4. Email Sarah Donahue with any questions at sdonahue@pittstonstpatricksparade.org.
— There will be a Succulents with the Creative Touch program at noon Saturday, April 1. Learn about succulents, plant your own and take it home to love. Call the library to reserve your spot. Cost is $35 per person. Proceeds will benefit programming at the library.
St. Michael’s Lenten food sale
St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main St., is taking orders for a Lenten food drive-thru to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 3. The following will be available, prepared and ready to heat at home: halushki (cabbage and noodles), $8 per quart; potato pierogi (pre-cooked, frozen), $10 per dozen; cottage cheese and noodles, $8 per quart; tray of unbaked pizza, $15 (with or without onions). Also on sale ready to eat: tuna hoagie with cheese, tomato and lettuce, with or without onions, $8, and potato pancakes, prepared on site, $1.50 each.
Please order in advance by calling Michael at 570-704-6520. Pay by cash or check at time of pickup. Orders will be taken up to Thursday, March 2. Proceeds benefit the cost of St. Michael’s church maintenance and repairs.
St. Michael’s also will accept Ukraine relief monetary donations and new or nearly new and laundered cold weather clothes, blankets, jackets and more. For details on what will be accepted, go to the link on the church’s website: https://stmichaelsbyzantine.com.
Ash Wednesday at Second Presbyterian
Second Presbyterian Church of Pittston will conduct an Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Feb. 22. Service will include scripture readings, hymns and special music by the church choir. All in attendance will be offered Holy Communion and either ashes or oil anointing. The service will be led by the Rev. Roger Griffith with music by Eric McKitish. For information, call the church at 570-654-1411.
Jacquelines meeting
The Jacquelines Auxiliary of Knights 55, Pittston, will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Knights 55 building at 55 Main St., Pittston. Deb Monteforte will preside.
Race Trifecta and more
Pittston is introducing the Pittston Race Trifecta this year. It consists of Pittston City’s three 5K runs held throughout the year — the Leprechaun Loop, the Ultimate Tomato Run and, new this year, the Third Leg. There will be registration discounts and a 2023 Trifecta T-shirt if you pre-register for all three races at once. The series will kick off with The Leprechaun Loop on Saturday, March 4, at 10:30 a.m. The Ultimate Tomato Run will be held during Tomato Festival Weekend on Saturday, Aug. 19. The Pittston Race Trifecta will end with the brand new Pittston 5K, The Third Leg, on Saturday, Nov. 4. Each race will be on the same route and will be timed and awards/prizes will be given out at the conclusion of the Trifecta in November. Sign up today for the trifecta at https://www.downtownpittston.com/about-2.
In addition to the Race Trifecta, the city recently announced the inaugural Wyoming Valley Run, a 10-mile charity race from Pittston to Wilkes-Barre, is set for September. The event, sponsored by Allied Services to raise money for five local charities: Camp Freedom, Candy’s Place, Northeast Sight Services, Shop with a Cop and the Wilkes-Barre Special Needs Playground Project. A goal of the race is to highlight the communities involved, including Pittston, which will be the race’s starting point, and the municipalities along the way to the finish line in Wilkes-Barre. The race is open to runners of all abilities and also to walkers, with registration set to begin in April.
Also returning in the fall will be the annual Color Me Pink 5K on Saturday, Oct. 7, to benefit Paint Pittston Pink. The approximate start time will be 11 a.m. The Gentlemen’s Dash will follow.
Downtown Pittston Partnership events
Downtown Pittston Partnership will host its first NEPA Spring Outdoor Arts/Crafts festival in cooperation with Lu Lacka Wyco Hundo Cyclists. More than 1,000 cyclists and families will be in downtown Pittston on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23, as part of the ride.
There are openings for vendors to participate in the festival. Visit https://form.jotform.com/230175656090051 for an application or find the link on the Downtown Pittston Partnership Facebook page.
Downtown Pittston Partnership also announced its upcoming calendar of events.
Pittston Prohibition will take place Sunday, June 11.
Tomato Festival Weekend will take place Thursday, Aug. 17, to Sunday, Aug. 20.
Trick or Treat on Main Street is Saturday, Oct. 21.
La Festa Di Natale, Shop with a Cop and the annual tree lighting will take place Saturday, Dec. 2.
Second Friday Art Walks will return in May. On Friday, May 12, the event will be carnival themed; June 9, ’90s themed; July 14, Christmas in July, and Sept. 8, fall themed.
Katie Kelly writes about Pittston every week for Greater Pittston Progress. To list an item, email kkelly@pittstonprogress.com or call 570-821-2002 by 5 p.m. Monday.