The pair chatted outside St. Patrick's Cathedral as the temperatures climbed into the 60s and bathed the 200,000 marchers and estimated 2 million parade spectators in a balmy bath of blarney. "St. Patrick really shone down bright on us today, with blue skies, beautiful weather and great friends," said the Rev.
Jim Drew, 62, who came from County Cork in Ireland to watch the festivities. The parade kicked off at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, with author and Bronx native Mary Higgins Clark acting as the grand marshal for the historic sestercentennial edition of the parade.
The route went past St. Patrick's Cathedral and ended at 79th Street -- seven blocks shorter than previous years because of city cost-cutting measures that have shortened all parades. It was the only gray cloud over the festivities. "I don't think they should have done that on the 250th anniversary," said paradegoer Gigi Mancini, 51, of Eastchester. "It's our anniversary." Still many of the marchers didn't appear to mind the change. "We pass down pride in our heritage and culture, generation after generation," said Mae O'Driscoll, of Marine Park, Brooklyn, who marched with the New York County Cork Association.
"It's not just about green beer and green hair. It's about a saint named Patrick." There were few incidents reported at the parade, and only two arrests for disorderly conduct.
Brendan Storz, 21, of West Babylon, LI, who says he plays on a hockey team called the Irish Car Bombs, planned on partying it up. "I probably will go home with a hangover," he said. "Today is all about friends, happiness and alcohol."
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