Thousands Line Streets for 2015 St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City
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History was made in the streets of Manhattan on Tuesday. For the first time, New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade allowed an organized gay and lesbian group to march under a banner – but it wasn’t without controversy. Melissa Russo reports.
There were shamrock scarves and shamrock temporary tattoos, shamrock bandannas and green leprechaun hats. The crowds along Fifth Avenue marked New York City's celebration of Irish heritage with smiles, cheers and plenty of pride on Tuesday.
The St. Patrick's Day Parade stepped off on 44th Street with Cardinal Timothy Dolan serving as Grand Marshal, and the Archbishop of New York told the throngs of spectators lined along the route he felt "as radiant as the sun."
The sound of bagpipes echoed everywhere along the parade route, which ran north up Fifth Avenue past St. Patrick's Cathedral to 79th Street. The route predates the Declaration of Independence.
Mayor de Blasio confirmed Monday that he would not march in the parade, despite organizers' decision to allow a single gay employee resource group to march.
The Empire State Building was shining green, orange and white -- the colors of the Irish flag -- Tuesday night.
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A bagpiper marches in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Fifth Ave in Manhattan on March 17, 2014 in New York City. Political controversy surrounded this year's parade, as New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio decided not to march due to the parade organizer's policy to ban participants that identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Heineken and Guinness announced earlier that they would drop their sponsorship of the parade for along the same reasons.
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 17: Revelers watch the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Fifth Ave in Manhattan on March 17, 2014 in New York City. Political controversy surrounded this year's parade, as New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio decided not to march due to the parade organizer's policy to ban participants that identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Heineken and Guinness announced earlier that they would drop their sponsorship of the parade for along the same reasons.
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Participants march in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014. This year's Grand Marshal is Jack Ahearn, the business manager of Local 30 of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
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People attend the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014. Mayor de Blasio is skipping the parade, which does not allow expressions of gay identity, such as LGBT flags or signs.
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Participants cheer along the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014.
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Participants march in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014.
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Gay rights supporters protest against the exclusion of the gay community from the St. Patrick's Day parade during the annual parade, in New York, March 17 2014.
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Cardinal Timothy Dolan, right, greets National Guardsmen at the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2014 in New York. The city's St. Patrick's Day parade stepped off Monday without Mayor Bill de Blasio marching along with the crowds of kilted Irish-Americans and bagpipers amid a dispute over whether participants can carry pro-gay signs.
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The County Tyrone Pipe Band marches in the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2014 in New York. St. Patrick's Cathedral, center, is wrapped in scaffolding for renovations.
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Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, center,marches in the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2014 in New York. The city's parade stepped off Monday without Mayor Bill de Blasio marching along with the crowds of kilted Irish-Americans and bagpipers amid a dispute over whether participants can carry pro-gay signs.
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Participants cheer along the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014.
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 17: Bagpipers march in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade along Fifth Ave in Manhattan on March 17, 2014 in New York City. Political controversy surrounded this year's parade, as New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio decided not to march due to the parade organizer's policy to ban participants that identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Heineken and Guinness announced earlier that they would drop their sponsorship of the parade for along the same reasons. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
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Participants march in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in New York on March 17, 2014.
