St. Patrick's Day Parade returns to streets of NYC after 2-year pandemic pause
NEW YORK -- New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade returned Thursday for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and millions lined up along Fifth Avenue to celebrate.
The Luck of the Irish may not have helped out with the weather, but the rain couldn't stop spectators from coming back in full force.
"At one point it started downpouring, like, everyone was still out and smiling and ready," spectator Kristin Broderick said.
"It gives you a warm feeling when you see the crowd, when you're walking by them and they're smiling and they're cheering for you. It just gives you a warm feeling inside," drummer Topaz Robbins told CBS2's John Dias.
Cindy Wood and her husband adventured from Smithtown, Long Island to celebrate their Irish roots.
"It's been two years of us doing it virtually or just with close family, and now we're out," she said.
WATCH: CBS2's John Dias speaks with people along parade route
Another couple had them beat -- they actually traveled from Ireland.
"I'm 100% Irish," one man said. "My name is Padraig, which is the Galleon Irish version."
Knowing quite well New York's parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the world, they've always wanted to come and we're happy to share the day with everyone.
"Being Irish is a state of mind," the man added. "Being friendly, being welcoming to everyone all over the world."
Marie O'Shea, from the Bronx, and Margaret Dohney, from Connecticut, were among a group of childhood friends who haven't missed a parade together since they were teenagers.
"It represents our Irish heritage and culture and how great it is to be Irish American, and we're happy to celebrate this day again," O'Shea said.
"Just freedom again, to be out, to be celebrating, and this is a perfect Irish day with the rain and everything, so we're great," Doheny said.
Little Teddy watched the parade up close with his sister, Riley, and mom, Caroline.
"It hasn't been here in two years, so we need to be there to support everybody. It's wonderful it's back," his mom said.
"It's just a great feeling. Everybody needs to get back to normal," Patchogue resident Bob Hanley said.
For Hanley, "back to normal" on this day means dressing in green from head to toe. He even dyed his beard to match.
"The beard, is it green all the time or just for today?" CBS2's Andrea Grymes asked.
"Just for St. [Patrick's] Day," Hanley said.
Many spectators on the route were there to celebrate their Irish heritage.
"It's pretty special, especially when your last name is Flaherty," Mary Beth Flaherty, from Houston, Texas, said.
"Although born and raised in the USA, we are 100% proud to be 100% Irish," Westwood, New Jersey, resident Kevin Roche said.
"I'm Irish for today," another spectator said.
More than 100 groups participated this year, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, who marched with the NYPD.
Also marching was the Detective Steven McDonald Men's Prayer Group. McDonald was a fixture at the parade in his wheelchair for years until he passed away in 2017.
His wife, Patti Ann McDonald, and son carry on the tradition.
"He's here in spirit with all of us today, and we feel very blessed that we're back doing it after two years, so very exciting," McDonald said.
WATCH: How New York Irish Center is celebrating this holiday
Hochul attended the annual St. Patrick's Day mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday morning.
Bishop Robert Brennan, of the Brooklyn Diocese, was the main celebrant and delivered the homily. He filled in for Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who is still home with his family in St. Louis following the death of his mother.
WATCH: Annual St. Patrick's Day mass held at St. Patrick's Cathedral
Adams was also out celebrating the holiday, raising a glass at a local Irish pub.
No one was ready to celebrate more than pub owners. They were some of the first small businesses to feel the pain of the pandemic when they were forced to close just before the holiday in 2020.
"It's good to have people coming back, showing the world the city is coming back to life and everybody's getting back to normalcy. We need it," said Ardell Reilly, manager of Connolly's.
Revelers filled up the Irish bars on First Street over in Hoboken, New Jersey.
"It's good to be back and feel the sense of community. That's what I love about the city, and it's amazing to be a part of this Irish commitment to New York and America," Jeffrey Cavey told CBS2's Thalia Perez.
"To be able to be to be out and get into Irish bars at this time is just, like, amazing. I'm so happy we're back," Sara Hyatt said.
"For COVID to kinda be over but I don't know if it really is, but with people not wearing masks anymore, it's a great time," Steve Muprhy said.
The parade dates back to 1762 -- 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.