Correspondent photos / Sean Barron Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti hands candy to siblings Krystal Heginbotham, 9, and her brother, Davey, 7, during the 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Sunday along Market Street.

BOARDMAN — While sheltering herself from the cold, Kelly Heginbotham was staying warm by sitting in her vehicle — and warming her heart via reliving pleasant, family-oriented memories.

“My grandfather took me to see the parade when it was in downtown Youngstown. It brings back memories. My grandfather used to say his hair was Irish silver gray,” Heginbotham, of Canfield, fondly recalled.

She was remembering a passionate part of her childhood while waiting for the 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade to begin Sunday afternoon along a 1.5-mile stretch of Market Street between McClurg Road and Southwoods Avenue.

Despite temperatures in the mid-30s, intermittent snow flurries and a stiff wind, people of all ages lined both sides of Market Street to bear witness to the family-friendly largely green tradition, themed “Irish Charity Begins at Home.” An estimated 100 units made up this year’s festivities, organizers said.

Acting as mistress of ceremonies was Casey Malone, host of the weekly “Casey Malone Show” and a longtime part of the parade committee.

Heginbotham, who is Irish, said her favorite aspects of the beloved tradition are seeing the variety of area high school bands and firefighters pass. She also enjoyed keeping the family association with the large gathering going via bringing her children, Davey, 7, and Krystal, 9, both of whom braved the elements outside while occasionally scrambling to collect candy that was tossed their way.

Among the units representing this year’s festivities were the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, a variety of area fire and police departments, high school marching bands and radio stations, Briarfield Place, the Inn at Walker Mill, Cocca’s Pizza, the Davis Family YMCA, Brilliant Cleaning Service LLC, Sky Roofing and the Help Save the Mill Creek Park Deer organization. Also, several vintage vehicles were part of the mix.

Also in the mix among those on the sidelines were Michelle Pacella of Canfield and her daughter, Ava, 14, both of whom weathered the unfavorable weather as they sat covered in blankets.

“My son is in the Ursuline High School band, so we like to support the band and continue coming out,” Pacella said, referring to her son, Albert, a senior who plays trombone.

Seeing her brother and cheerleader friends in the event were main draws for Ava, an Ursuline High freshman, she said.

“We do it every year. I like the Boardman High School band,” said Savannah Cosma, a Boardman High senior who came with her boyfriend, Cameron Jeffrey, a fellow Boardman High 12th grader.

Both wore their share of green while doing their best to cover up and beat the cold and wind.

This year’s grand marshal was Bob Hannon, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s president. Jimmy Sutman, who runs the Purple Cat, was Lord Mayor of Kilkenny.

This year’s Ockerman Award was bestowed upon Tim Kelly of Youngstown, a longtime parade supporter who’s also a self-employed carpenter and member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

In addition, Sunday’s parade was in memory of the late Edward “Eddie” Maloney Sr., the 2011 Ockerman Award recipient, as well as Anthony “Tony” D. Magrini, a longtime machinist and millwright who was a parade marshal for more than 20 years.

Also remembered was Norman J. “Joe” Parry, who died Dec. 29, 2023, at age 81. Parry, who served in the U.S. Navy and Army National Guard, was a parade marshal who had a long career in the automotive industry.

After Sunday’s parade, many revelers attended an after-party at the Magic Tree Pub & Eatery on South Avenue, where they enjoyed entertainment from Fast Freddie, Seamus, the Burke School of Irish Dance and No Funk, No Justice.