Capri & Rio Scarcelli | a&e editor and staff writer
Sept. 16, 2021
To commemorate the time lost with quarantining and social-distancing, Pittsburgh Irish folk were more than ready to start anew with a “half-way there” celebration of St. Patrick’s Day — in the middle of September.
On Saturday, Sept. 18, the well-acclaimed St. Patty’s Parade will occur as normal, starting their parade route by the Greyhound station and ending at Stanwix Street. Floats will not be included this time around, but typical parade-goers will be more than welcome to follow the usual route.
“I don’t really get it. St. Patty’s isn’t in September, and the vibes just aren’t right,” senior education major Jocelyn Jorinscay said. “I kind of want to go though!”
Starting the day off with 8:30 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on 17th street, the service will let out into the 10 a.m. parade. Participants and passersby will be “strongly encouraged” to wear their masks as per CDC policy, according to the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and Irish Society for Education and Charity Inc.
Parade chairman J. Mac McCafferty said in an interview with the Pittsburgh Magazine that they are “looking forward to an entertaining parade” to celebrate the much-anticipated March celebration.
To keep with tradition, the committee said that the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Parade would still be held on March 12 at 10 a.m.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich sent out a letter addressed to area college students. He advised for the students’ safety to be conscious of wearing masks, social distancing and avoiding underage drinking.
“The City of Pittsburgh values students as members of our community, and as such we seek your partnership to make Pittsburgh safe this day and every day. It is our hope that you enjoy the festivities and celebrate responsibly,” Hissrich said.
Still, Duquesne Vice President Douglas Frizzell issued a statement to the student body recommending they refrain from going to the September event.
“We have come so far as a community that no one wants to experience a setback returning to the Covid-19 guidelines of last academic year,” he said.
While the campus has gotten to a vaccination status of 85 percent, the efforts are still being put out to maintain social distancing and uphold the county mandates regarding Covid-19.
“Hopefully the spring semester will be a time of greater normalcy enabling you to fully enjoy the festivities surrounding St. Patrick’s Day on its true day in March,” Frizzell said.
Frizzell wanted to remind the student body that there will be safer alternatives to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade occurring on campus grounds. He sent a list of activities occurring this weekend:
Friday, September 17
- $2 Grilled Cheese night, 8:30 p.m., Towers Lobby
– Disney Bingo, Union Ballroom at 9 p.m. Come join DPC for a night of Disney-themed (not EPIC) Bingo. We’ll have some great prizes, gift cards and more! As this will be a smaller night of bingo, attendance is limited to 300 students. Tickets are available in 305 Union.
Saturday, September 18
– Panera Breakfast, 9 a.m., Vickroy Lobby
– Food Fest & Painting, 11 a.m., Towers MPR
– Summer Send Off, Union Nite Spot, 12-2 p.m. Join the Center for Student Involvement for food, games, crafts and prizes in the Nite Spot.
– South Side Goat Fest: Saturday, Sept. 18 from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. The event takes place at the South Side Park. For more information and details, please visit the following link: https://www.goatfestpgh.com
Volunteers are needed for the South Side Goat Fest on Saturday, Sept. 18 for the following shifts:
8 a.m.-12 p.m. (14 students)
12 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (8 students)
4-7 p.m. (12 students)
Breakdown Volunteers needed Sept. 20, 9-1 p.m. For information regarding volunteering, please contact pustorinoa@duq.edu
– Popcorn and Pool, 3:00 p.m., Des Places Lobby
– Shakes & Movies, 3:30 p.m., Assumption, 1st Floor Lounge
– Men’s Soccer vs. George Washington, Rooney Field, 7:00pm, Cheer on your Duquesne Dukes as they take on the George Washington Colonials.
Sunday, September 19
– Women’s Soccer vs. Massachusetts, Rooney Field, 1 p.m., Cheer on your Duquesne Dukes as they take on the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen.
