Hundreds of thousands lined Fifth Avenue Wednesday as the 249th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade made its way through Midtown.

Hundreds of thousands lined the avenue on the sunny and mild day to take in the world's oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Along with honoring the patron saint of Ireland, the parade celebrates Irish faith and heritage.

"I like being with the people, the kids, and seeing all the different attire people have on," said a first-time parade-goer.

"It's going to be a great morning, afternoon and night," said another reveler. "It's going to be awesome."

"I like the Irish pride. Green's my favorite color," said a third.

There are no floats in the parade, just marchers and music.

"It's a parade. It's true to its roots. We're just marchers," said Parade Executive Secretary Hilarie Beirne. "It's truly a unique experience. Unless you've marched in the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, you have no idea of the sensation and the pride when you come out of that formation area onto Fifth Avenue and you walk up along the buildings. The emotions that an awful lot of people get is unimaginable anywhere else except in New York City."

"I feel more Irish here than I would at home," said Irish singer Emma Kate Tobia. "You really feel proud to be Irish in New York on St. Patrick's Day. It's an exciting, exciting place to be."

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly served as this year's grand marshal.

"It feels terrific," said Kelly. "You know, as an Irish American, this is kind of as good as it gets. I'm very happy and proud to be grand marshal and I know my family feels the same way."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg kicked off the day's celebrations with a breakfast at Gracie Mansion.

In between some lighthearted jokes, Bloomberg talked about the contributions Irish Americans have made to the city.

"New York City and Ireland have had a special connection and we've reaped the benefits for centuries," said the mayor. "If you think about it, one of the smallest and poorest countries in Europe helped make New York into America's biggest and most prosperous city."

Before the parade stepped off, Catholics came out to celebrate mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan led the morning service and then joined the fun.

“Ever since I got here on April 15th, I've heard about March 17th,” Dolan said. “And is it ever living up to it. It's a joyful day."

However, not everyone felt included in the parade. The gay rights group Irish Queers protested in Midtown today, objecting to the parade's exclusion of LGBT organizations and presence of city policemen and firefighters.

The group has held an annual protest against the parade since 1993.