St. Patrick's Day is still about a week and a half away, but the celebration has already begun in the city. Things kicked off in Queens Saturday afternoon. Our Erin Clarke was there.
Irish eyes were smiling on the Rockaways Saturday during the 41st Annual Queens County St. Patrick's Day Parade.
It was a grand show of Irish culture and heritage — complete with everyone's favorite — the bag pipe bands.
But you didn't have to be Irish to enjoy the event.
"I'm Columbian and I became an American citizen 18 years ago and I'm here because I love culture," said one parade goer.
"Kiss me I'm Irish," said another, with a wink and a Spanish accent.
Even the Mayor donned green for the day.
"The pride in Irish heritage is so strong here," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "The whole city is celebrating with you. It's an honor to be celebrating with you today."
Mayor de Blasio will also be taking part in the 5th Avenue parade later this month after an LGBT group was allowed to march as well.
And this is just one of several St. Patrick's Day Parades held before the big one on 5th Avenue, but folks here say this one's the best.
Not only because it's the first parade that kicks off the month of St Pat's celebrations day, but also because there's such a large Irish population living in the Rockaways.
"Everyone knows everyone," said one local. "You walk down the street to go to the store or something and you bump into someone that you know and everyone has heritage from back home."
A tight knit community that looks forward to sharing this event together every year.