39th annual parade dedicated to Patrick J. Bewick Jr.

This year's march is dedicated to Patrick J. Bewick Jr., a 45-year-old Dunmore gas station owner who died in an accident at work Dec. 23.

When the St. Patrick's Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County Inc. chose to honor Mr. Bewick, a former member, the group cited the positive way in which he lived his life.

"Everybody who knew Pat liked him," association President Bill King said. "He was a very caring individual. He was always smiling. He was a family man who loved kids, loved his Catholic faith, loved being Irish and loved the parade."

The family business he ran with his brother, Gary, on Drinker Street dates back to 1952. It developed into a Dunmore landmark and popular gathering spot for borough officials and other residents.

The Bewick family will march near the front of the parade when more than 6,000 participants step off Saturday.

"The 2000 edition appears to be one of the best the association has ever put together," parade director Dave Clark said. "It certainly will be one of our most musical."

Preliminary weather forecasts call for temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees with light rain arriving in the afternoon.

Two events precede the parade. At 10 a.m., Bishop James C. Timlin will celebrate the St. Patrick's Mass at St. Peter's Cathe- dral, complete with Irish step dancers and bagpipes.

After that, about 250 runners will start the annual St. Patrick's Day 5K race along the parade route.

The parade participants will assemble along Mulberry Street and Wyoming Avenue.

This year's event features old favorites and new ones.

The Pen York Highlanders' Ladies From Hell Pipe Band will be in the lineup, as it has been since 1962.

The Nittany Lion Pipe Band from State College and the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band from Syracuse, N.Y., will make their first appearance here.

A new float sponsored by the O'Malley & Langan law firm promises to delight children and adults. Dubbed "The Wizard of Emerald Isle," the float will give an Irish twist to Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion.

From start to finish, the parade could last nearly three hours, Mr. King said.

Scranton police will have 41 extra officers on duty to monitor the crowds.

The parade route will be closed to traffic by about 11:30 a.m.

The parade will follow the traditional pattern: Wyoming Avenue to Spruce Street, Spruce to Penn Avenue, Penn to Lackawanna Avenue, Lackawanna to Spruce, Spruce to Adams Avenue, Adams to Linden Street, and Linden past the reviewing stand to North Washington Avenue.

WOLF-TV will provide live television coverage from noon to 2:30 p.m.

After the parade, families can meet at the Scranton Cultural Center for an Irish party.

RAY FLANAGAN, Tribune staff writer, contributed to this report.

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