Thousands of revelers from all over the world celebrated their Irish pride along Fifth Avenue on Thursday. NY1's Roger Clark has the story.
Pipes and drums accompanied the New York Army National Guards' fighting 69th, who traditionally lead the St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue.
Along the parade route were the McLaughlins from Scotland. Marie brought her husband Eamon as a surprise birthday gift.
"The only way I found out was I saw the hats in the luggage," Eamon McLaughlin said. "Bought them in Glasgow, yes."
They come from all over the world for New York's parade in honor of the patron saint of Ireland.
It was the 255th edition of this celebration of Irish culture and heritage, on a day when the big talk was Mayor Bill de Blasio's decision to march for the first time since he took office, after a ban on LGBT groups marching under their own banner was lifted.
The Grand Marshal was former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who helped in the peace negotiations in Northern Ireland in the 1990s.
Along the way was plenty of green as always, including some in places you might not expect. Case in point Mary Ann Terusa; it was her first parade.
Terusa: I've got my green underwear.
Roger: Green underwear? Well, we don't need to see that right now.
Terusa: And I got my fanny painted green.
Roger: Get out of here!
Terusa: Yeah, for St. Patrick's Day."
Indeed. But for others the green was in a more appropriately visible area. Yep, green hair for some sisters from New Jersey, for example.
Add some Irish dancing, marching bands, and even the Fiat that Pope Francis used during his visit last September, and there was plenty to see on a day where there was no shortage of...
"Very smart dressed men and men in kilts, so, yep, it's all good," one woman at the parade said.
Now, folks who march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade come out in any weather. But it's certainly more pleasant on a day like Thursday, part this string of unseasonably warm days we've had in the city in March.