STROUDSBURG, Pa. — In just a matter of weeks, the streets and sidewalks here in downtown Stroudsburg will be filled with happy parade-goers for the borough's 45th annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Rachel Metzgar and her family attend the parade every year, but she says sometimes the meaning of the holiday gets lost.
"Usually people think it's a day of getting drunk and overindulging in alcohol, and that Irish culture and Irish-American culture is synonymous with getting drunk and it's all Guinness and Whiskey, and that's all there is and nothing more," said Metzgar.
So this year, she and her sister took it upon themselves to give people another option, instead of hitting the bars, after the parade.
The first "Sober St. Patrick's Day" is coming to Stroudsburg.
"It's an alternative for people that don't want to drink or be in a situation where people are drinking after the parade, where we're going to have Irish music, three Irish bands, and they'll be dancers and corn beef and cabbage buffet," said Metzgar.
Sober St. Patrick's Day started in 2011 in New York City as a way to celebrate Irish and Irish-American Culture without alcohol in a fun, safe, sober, family-friendly environment.
"We hope that people take away that there is so much more to St. Patrick's Day and Irish culture than just getting drunk and that you can come and have a good time with your family and you can come if you're in recovery and it's for everyone to enjoy," said Metzgar.
The event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on March 24 at the Stroudsmoor Country Inn.
Tickets are $60 for adults and $45 for children 10 and under. Click Here for tickets.