NEW YORK -- The world's oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade marched through Manhattan on Friday.
2 million pack streets of Manhattan for world's oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade
The sounds of Ireland took over the streets of the city on Friday, with roughly 200,000 people marching up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The grand marshal, Kevin Conway of Long Island, told CBS2 he was honored to be leading the pack.
"It's a privilege and it's pretty humbling. You think all the people who have gone before you and for all it stands for, and the weight of that is on your shoulders," Conway said.
Cheering them on was a sea of green consisting of approximately 2 million people.
"It's great energy. It's great to be a part of it, whether you're watching the parade or walking in it," said Janine Mickens of Morris County, New Jersey.
Joe Davidson said he came all the way from Missouri to watch his daughter march in the parade with her school band. She's a flag girl.
"It's an honor. They work hard day in and day out to get to this stage in the game and they perform outstanding," Davidson said.
Wide-eyed tot Isla Rose Curry seemed mesmerized. Her parents said they insisted on instilling in her lots of Irish pride in one big, noisy green wave.
"Special Irish girl bow and we have a teether that is a little shamrock," Kelly Jones Curry said.
A regular parade goer is Kevin Kennedy, who traveled in from Baldwin on Long Island. He promised it was a leprechaun who designed his mustache. He brought his grandkids.
"Which is why we bring them here, to show them what's going on," Kennedy said, adding, "So they can carry on the traditions."
The parade through Manhattan is the largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, even bigger than ones in Ireland, drawing spectators from around the globe.
"The Big Apple is the place to be," one parade goer said.
"It's just iconic. Where else would you want to be?" said Veronica Madden, who was visiting from London. "I believe you have green beer here?"
CBS2 also spoke to Kieran O'Donnell, visiting from Northern Ireland. When asked how he feels about New York City going bigger on St. Patrick's Day than Ireland, he said, "Absolutely fine. There's lots of Irish-Americans. Glad you do, so we can be a part of it."
It's also the oldest St. Patrick's Day Parade. The first one was held 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
"It has amazing history. We started in 1762, when New York was under Colonial British rule, and we have marched on the streets of New York City every single year since then. That means this parade has survived a war of revolution, a civil war, World War I, World War II, and two pandemics -- the 1918 and now 2020," said Hilary Beirne, chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Foundation.
Parade organizers said this year's mission is fighting food insecurity and funds raised this time around will go to charities that combat hunger.
Chopper 2 overhead
Chopper 2 is flying above the St. Patrick's Day Parade as it marches through Midtown.
Watch CBS News New York live along parade route
Getting in the green spirit
Centuries-old tradition returns
A quarter million marchers will head up Fifth Avenue for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, and another two million will be watching along the route.
Some got an early start attending the official kickoff breakfast at Pig and Whistle Pub.
Starting at 11 a.m., the celebration of Irish heritage will march up Fifth Avenue from East 44th Street to 79th Street.
It's the oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world. It was first held on March 17, 1762 -- 14 years before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The grand marshal spoke with CBS2 earlier this week about this year's theme, which is raising awareness about food insecurity.
"Food insecurity resonates with the Irish because of the great famine. That is really why so many of us are here," Kevin Conway said. "Despite how prosperous and terrific the United State is, there are a lot of people who go hungry. There's almost two million people in New York who don't know where their next meal is coming from."
CLICK HERE for his full interview.
Parade timing & route
When
Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Friday and wraps up around 4:30 p.m.
Where
Parade route begins at 5th Avenue at 44th Street and ends at 79th Street.
Meet the grand marshal
Earlier this week, Grand Marshal Kevin Conway shared a sneak peek of what to expect with CBS2.
We asked him about this year's special focus on food insecurity, and what it means to him to lead the parade.
He also gave some tips for spectators looking to get the best view.
CLICK HERE for more.
NYPD street closures
The NYPD says the following streets will be closed Friday, March 17.
Formation:
- Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 46th Street
- 43rd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 44th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 45th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 46th Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 47th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 48th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue
Route:
- 5th Avenue between 79th Street and 42nd Street
Dispersal:
- 5th Avenue between 86th Street and 79th Street
- 79th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 80th Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 81st Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 82nd Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 83rd Street between Lexington Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 84th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
Miscellaneous
- 49th Street between Madison Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza
- 50th Street between Madison Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza
- 51st Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 53rd Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 58th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
- 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 63rd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 64th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 65th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 70th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 71st Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 72nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 78th Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
- Madison Avenue between 42nd Street and 86th Street
Other ways to celebrate Irish pride
If you're looking for some unique ways to celebrate, Time Out New York's Content Director Will Gleason shared their things to do this St. Patrick's Day.
The first is a classic and something everyone should experience at least once -- the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is the oldest and largest in the world.
If you're looking for something a little more low key, there's a unique art exhibit outside Grand Central. The final activity is great for history lovers in Hell's Kitchen.
CLICK HERE for more.