Release Date: Friday, March 11th 2011

2011 Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade

Rain or Shine, on Saturday, March 12th, the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade will Celebrate Celtic Heritage for Irish and Non-Irish Alike

Parade Highlights:
• Second-largest St. Patrick’s Parade in the USA
• 50th Anniversary of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes
• Elaine Manning Named 2011 Parade Grand Marshal
• Katherine Christoff Named Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen 2011
• Three Drop Off Sites designated for Pittsburgh Area Food Bank Donations
• Second Year for New Parade Route
• Pittsburgh Police to Enforce “Open Container” Statutes to Foster Family-friendly Event

Pittsburgh, PA, March 2, 2011 – Pittsburgh’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade will take place on Saturday, March 12, 2012, featuring over 23,000 participants from Pittsburgh-area marching bands, politicians, and a host of Irish-heritage groups. The event begins at 10 a.m., following the same route that was established in 2010, stretching from the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street (Greyhound Bus Station), to the reviewing stand located Downtown on the Boulevard of the Allies at Stanwix Street.

The parade celebrates Pittsburgh’s Irish heritage and is normally attended by 150,000 - 200,000 people, all “Irish for the day.” On warm sunshine-filled parade days, as many as 250,000 have attended the event, which for some serves as a kickoff to a weeklong St. Patrick’s Day observances.

This year’s event marks the 50th Anniversary of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and a parade that has enjoyed a 141-year history in the city, having occurred non-stop since 1950. Many Pittsburghers remember that not even a blizzard in 1993 was able to keep Pittsburgh’s Irish from marching on. According to U.S. Census data, more Pittsburghers claim Irish heritage than any other ethnic group in a region known as a “melting pot” of ethnicity.

Event officials have said that Pittsburgh’s is the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the United States, behind New York City.

The 2011 St. Patrick’s Parade will feature over 200 marching units, including 20 bands, floats, several police, fire and emergency service agencies, along with many groups from Pittsburgh’s Irish and other ethnic communities. The highlight of the parade is the appearance of Pittsburgh’s Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2011, and St. Patrick himself.

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and her court will sit atop a showcase float sponsored by local McDonald’s restaurants.

“We are grateful to local McDonald’s restaurants for contributing to the financial support of the parade and for sponsoring our Miss Smiling Irish Eyes float,” said Jim Green, parade Chairman. “McDonald’s shares and supports our efforts to present a family-friendly event. That’s why the McDonald’s Shamrock Shake is the Official Family Drink of the 2011 Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade.”

Food Bank Donations

Parade spectators will have the chance to enjoy a great Pittsburgh event while at the same time donate items to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) Hibernian Hunger Project, in cooperation with the parade committee, is sponsoring a “Food and Funds Drive” where parade-goers can drop off non-perishable food items or monetary donations at three points along the parade route:

• Greyhound Bus Station at the corner of 11th Street and Liberty Avenue;
• City-County Building at 414 Grant Street;
• Steelworkers Plaza at 60 Blvd. of the Allies.

Safety, security and a family-friendly atmosphere are central to the mission of the parade committee. Pittsburgh Police officers, firefighters and paramedics will be on hand during the festivities to ensure a safe and fun environment. The City of Pittsburgh now has a statute against consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces, which will be enforced on parade day, from the staging area and throughout the parade route. Parade committee rules strictly prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages for those marching in the parade.

The St. Patrick’s Parade is part of an entire week of Irish-heritage events in and around Pittsburgh, featuring area artists, musicians and community groups. In addition to being a celebration of great significance to those with Celtic roots, parade organizers suggest that the parade be a catalyst for all Pittsburgh to explore Irish heritage, culture, entertainment and cuisine throughout the year.

Second Year for New Parade Route

As with the 2010 event, 2011 parade will fall into formation near the Greyhound Bus Station at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and 11th Street. Staging will take place from the bus station and away from Downtown to 28th street. The parade will proceed from the intersection of Liberty and Grant Streets on Grant to the Boulevard of the Allies, where it will turn right. Proceed on the Boulevard of the Allies to the end of the parade route at Commonwealth Place and disburse.

2011 St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal –Elaine Manning

The 2011 St. Patrick’s Parade Grand Marshal is Elaine Manning, the owner/operator of St. Brendan's Crossing at Station Square. She has been a member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians for 30 years. Her Irish import store was the first of its kind in the Pittsburgh area. Through her business, she has been a sponsor of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes since 1992, presenting the honorees with a piece of fine Irish jewelry as a keepsake for their special day. Elaine has also furnished priests and the bishops Irish themed altar accessories and vestments.

Elaine and her family were among the original leaders of the Irish entry in the annual Pittsburgh Regatta, sponsoring the first imported curragh in that race. Elaine is the mother of five children and grandmother of eight. Through her shop, she is a great ambassador of Pittsburgh Irish to visitors from around the country and the world.

“It is with great honor and pride that Mrs. Manning is nominated for this great honor," commented Mr. Green.

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen for 2011 – Katherine Christoff

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes Queen for 2011 is Katherine Christoff, the daughter of Casey and Jennifer Christoff of Coraopolis. Katherine is a senior at Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School, where she is an honor student and a member of the National Honors Society.

Katherine’s grandfather William Carr, a long-time member of AOH Division #32, carried a two-year-old Katherine with him one year as he marched in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade. Over the years, she marched and danced in the parade as a member of the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers.

Her extracurricular activities have included: cheerleading; the high school newspaper; the high school’s annual Christmas play; Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.), the Prom Committee; the Book Club; the Chorus; and the Campus Ministry team.

She has been an alter server at Holy Trinity Parish, serves as a lector at her high school, and has been a cast member of the Living Stations of the Cross. In addition, she has coached Holy Trinity School junior varsity and varsity cheerleading squads.

Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2011 Court – Maeve Montgomery and Megan Barrett

Members of the Miss Smiling Irish Eyes 2011 Court are Maeve Montgomery and Megan Barrett.

Court maiden Maeve Montgomery, the daughter of Paul Montgomery and Amy Barrett-Montgomery of the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh. She is a senior at the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts High School, where she is an honor student. She is active in school plays and musicals.

She is an active volunteer in her community, serving as an usher at the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theater, a special events volunteer for the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh’s All Ireland Dinner and the Irish Festival. She has served as a parade and booth volunteer at Bethel Park Community Day, and a luncheon and sponsorship volunteer at the Diabetes Walk held at the Pittsburgh Zoo. She has been a regular performer in the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade as a student at the Bell School of Irish Dance.

Court Maiden Megan Barrett, the daughter of Kevin and Theresa Barrett of Wexford. She is a student at Slippery Rock University where she studies Early Childhood Education. Academic accomplishments include having been named to the Dean’s List; receipt of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence; receipt of the Distinguished Achievement Award for a Gold Medal on the National Latin Exam; and achievement of Summa Cum Laude honors from the National Junior Classical League and the American Classical League.

At Slippery Rock, she is a member of the university’s Illusions Dance Team. As a student at North Allegheny High School, she was a violinist as part of the school’s Golden Strolling Strings; a varsity lacrosse player; and the National Science Teachers Association.

In her community, she has volunteered at a local UPMC Senior Living facility; fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Hospital; at an after school program at Moraine Elementary School; and as a member of the Viewpoint Committee at her employer Best Buy. The Viewpoint Committee is a company-sponsored community service team. She has performed at numerous local events with the Bell School of Irish Dance.

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