Last week, the committee of the Girardville St. Patrick's Day Parade announced this year's Grand Marshal.
The 2023 edition of the parade is scheduled to step off on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at noon.
This year's parade theme is "Honoring Volunteer Firemen" and they have chosen one of Schuylkill County most dedicated to the fire service as Grand Marshal.
Mike Kitsock, of Pottsville, has been involved in the Schuylkill County volunteer fire service for over 50 years and is a member of several fire organizations. He is a founding member of the Schuylkill County Historical Society and a Pennsylvania State Fire Instructor.
Kitsock is also a member of the Girardville Ancient Order of Hibernians and is also on the parade committee.
As Grand Marshal, Kitsock, will ride in the parade in one of the Schuylkill County Historical Fire Society's antique trucks.
This year's theme of honoring firemen was inspired by the deaths of two New Tripoli firefighters in a fire in West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, late last year.