News

NYC celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Sunday, March 18, 2007

(New York - WABC, March 17, 2007) (WABC) -- The storm didn't stop an annual tradition here in New York.

News copter 7 over Fifth Avenue today as the St. Patrick's Day parade made its way uptown. The snow and cold weather however did keep the crowds down from previous years.

Eyewitness News reporter Emily Smith has more from midtown.

The count may have been down slightly but the organizers say it was still in the millions. You can call that the luck of the Irish.

In 246 years, they have only had to cancel this parade one time and that was during World War 2 for very obvious reasons.

A remarkable 160 thousand marchers, 60 bands and two and a half million people braved the icy temperatures. Mostly everyone decked out in green for this year's St. Patrick's Day parade.

Irish eyes were smiling as revelers kicked up their heals to celebrate.

St. Patrick's Cathedral marked the spot along Fifth Avenue where folks lined up to see Cardinal Egan and political heavyweights including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former NY mayor and presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani and NY Senator Charles Schumer.

All out to wow the crowd and spread some St. Patrick's cheer.

For 246 years New York City has rock and rolled on March 17th boasting the biggest parade in the nation.

But it isn't without controversy.

Two hours into this years parade NY's bravest marched in carrying hundreds of American flags, it's bolder than usual entrance in light of the parade chairman moving them from the front to the middle of the pack accusing FDNY of showing up drunk in years past.

Cardinal Egan says at the 11th hour he begged for a change of heart.

"There was a multitude issues and I think we worked out most of them," said President of Parade John O'Connor.

All in all though, spirits were up. Luck is on your side today. Even if you're not Irish, you know the saying; everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

This is the largest parade in the nation and almost in the world.

Get more News »