Traditional fervor and gaiety marks St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

United States, March 15: St. Patrick’s Day is being celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety in many parts of the world.

Although St. Patrick’s Day officially falls on March 17, the annual day celebrations kicked off on Saturday with millions of revelers joining in the Grande Parade. March 17 happens to be a religious holiday in the Republic of Ireland.

With the theme of this year’s annual celebration being “Go Green,” the cavalcade of participants in green wore a festive look. Dressed in green hats and glasses, the participants included bagpipers, mobile vendors and many Irish families.

The St. Patrick’ Day Parade honors Irish families and their rich common heritage.

"This year we're honoring our parents using the motif of a Volkswagen Van and that's how we used to travel around when we were kids with the 11 of us, so we're really excited to be here today" stated Hugh Grogan of Sioux falls, whose siblings make it a point to join in the celebrations for the last 30 years.

"The heritage of the Irish. And a little daytime drinking is always good,” stated 27-year-old Tim Coakley of San Francisco.

Olivia Canniffe, who migrated from Ireland to the Bay Area way back in 1992, feels it’s much more than a party.

“It's nice to have this parade over here and feel like it's our home away from home,” said Canniffee.

“There are a lot of people like me from Ireland who bring their kids, who are instilling their cultures and traditions in them,” she stated proudly.

The annual event witnessed members of police and fire departments as well as distinguished dignitaries from Ireland. The long lines of spectators appeared mesmerized by the bagpipers and Irish dancers.

"The parade is always about the bands. Everyone loves the bands," stated an elated Tim Delaney, 56 of Reserve, who has never missed any of Pittsburgh’s St. Patrick’ Day parades for long.

“It's generational. My family has always come to this parade,” quipped Delaney.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated to honor Ireland’s patron saint and a fifth century missionary, named St. Patrick, who spread Christianity around the country.

As bagpipes fills the air along the streets, the thumping music of bands invites one and all to be a part of the celebrations. So, you don’t need to be an Irish to walk in the parade. There are stalls dedicated towards providing information regarding the rich Irish history.

Chris Gremillion, a parade goer from San Diego stated, “We've had a lot of fun. My family's here...It's a great day.”