In 1955 a committee of mostly first and sixth ward business and political leaders formed a St. Patrick's Day Observance Society. By 1958, the parade was large enough to run from 12th & Hamilton to the Immaculate Conception Church on Ridge Ave.

Around the turn of the century the sixth ward in Allentown was the heart of the Irish community. Most Irishmen belonged to the Immaculate Conception church (Allentown's Oldest Catholic Church) on Ridge Avenue. In addition, on Ridge Avenue, there was a Young Men's Temperance Society and the Hibernia Fire Company Social Club where many Irishmen belonged for social activities. We believe all of these groups had events on or around St. Patrick's Day. However, it is said that a certain Barney McNulty stood atop the five story Belleview Apartment house at Ridge and Gordon Streets and blew his bugle every St. Patrick's Day.