Capital Region Scrapbook: St. Patrick’s Day inspires dancing and dressing up

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Wilkin

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St. Patrick’s Day means dancing for some, dressing for others.

Fans of both movements were part of Schenectady’s Irish celebrations in 1978.

At Schenectady’s home for the Irish, the Ancient Order of Hibernian’s hall on Albany Street, young women from the Boland School of Dance showed off steps first popular on the Emerald Isle. Jigs and reels were part of the entertainment, and the Hibernians had Irish coffee, corned beef and cabbage, music and singing to help pass time between dance numbers.

People wore green ties, scarves and sweaters. Patty Clarke and Lisa DeLegge got a head start on spring-color fashions, and wore formal outfits to promote spending of the green in downtown Schenectady stores.

Patty and Lisa were charming in their portrayals, but they had experience: both were members of the Phyllis DeLuccia Charm School and Modeling Agency.