Staten Island holds 60th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade
NEW YORK -- Spectators lined the streets of Staten Island on Sunday for the 60th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.
It was the first of two parades that will be held in the borough this year after years of controversy over not allowing LGBTQ groups.
As parade goers lined Forest Avenue, their smiles were as bright as the sun.
"It's a lot of fun," Vivienne Ferrie of Rosebank told CBS New York's Lori Bordonaro.
"I like when they throw the candy," Summer Ferrie added.
READ MORE: Staten Island to hold St. Patrick's Day Parade welcoming LGBTQ groups for the first time
It was a perfect day for festive hats and sunglasses.
"We've been here with snow on the ground. Look, this is beautiful," said Salvatore Chinnici of North Shore.
"You could not ask for a better day. It is amazing," added Stacey Brooks of Lincoln Park, New Jersey.
Firefighters, dancers, and even some four-legged friends took part.
The parade has been plagued with controversy for the past few years for not allowing LGBTQ groups to march.
K.C. Hankins organized the Rainbow Run, a Pride march, held earlier Sunday.
"LGBTQ people belong and we've won the narrative at this point," Hankins said.
Organizers wouldn't address the issue. One did say, "[It's] the greatest parade in New York City, in the country. It's always going to be that way."
For the first time, a second St. Patrick's Day parade will be held on Staten Island, on Forest Avenue on March 17, and will include LGBTQ+ groups.
"It's going to be bringing back the St. Patrick's Day Parade the way it should be," Hankins said.
"I don't understand how we can separate one parade from another. We are all supposed to be one," Lisa Chinnici said.
Some revelers said they plan to come back for the second parade. Bar owner Terence Haggerty said he welcomes the crowd.
"We are going to enjoy it, take one parade at a time," Haggerty said.
