Philadelphia marks St. Patrick's Day with annual parade

OLD CITY (FOX 29) - Through the sights and sounds and even the weather, the Irish took over Center city Sunday.

"It's amazing, it's amazing," said Ryan McDevitt.

The Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade is the second oldest in the United States.

"It's just pretty awesome to be part of that tradition down here in Philly where a lot of Irish immigrants still live, stated Meghan Kerper.

The annual celebration started all the way back in 1771. Even some of its youngest participants have something to look forward to.

"Just watching the parade with my family and my favorite part is when the bag pipes come," said one young parade watcher.

Along the Market Street parade route, Sunday's chilly and rainy start didn't put a damper on the mood.

"Even though it's cold and raining and wet, but what the heck, we're still here," Angela Laub explained.

And then there is the green apparel.

"We usually dress up every year. We always dress up, do something," stated Megan Macklin and McDevitt.

It's the largest Philadelphia parade because of the number of participants, approximately 20,000, including some familiar faces from FOX 29.

The day of great civic pride is an annual get together for many.

"I like the tradition because it gives us time to be with our families.

Some carrying it on with their newest members.

"I come down here every year with my mom and now we're bringing my son. We always come down and it's always so much fun," explained Kerper.

The parade will be rebroadcast on St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17 on FOX 29.