New York Sees Green for St. Patrick's Day

MYFOXNY.COM - It's a green day as millions around the world celebrate St. Patrick with oodles of parades, music, green beer and shamrocks.

Although the day honors the patron saint of Ireland, arguably the most popular St. Patrick's Day parade in the world is in New York City. Millions packed Manhattan to watch hundreds of thousands of floats and marchers troop up Fifth Avenue. The city traditionally paints a green line along the parade route. When night falls, the Empire State Building will be ablaze with green lights.

Many of the paradegoers were tourists from all around the world. Fox 5's Tai Hernandez spoke with visitors from France, Scotland, and elsewhere.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was the parade's grand marshal. Kellly is the father of Good Day New York co-host Greg Kelly.

New York is not the only city with colorful commemorations. The Chicago River is dyed green, and overseas, the Sydney Opera House and the London Eye will be green as people – and buildings – get their Irish on for the day.

In Dublin, St. Paddy's Day events began on March 12 with a slew of fun activities, including festivals, concerts and a treasure hunt. The joyous noise culminates with the March 17 parade. And let's not forget the food. Potatoes, soda bread, and of course, corned beef and cabbage.

Parades and unusual green hats are a sharp contrast with how St. Patrick's celebrations began. March 17 is a religious and national holiday in Ireland where prayer precedes the festivities.

The man we know as St. Patrick was born in Scotland around 387 A.D. This son of two Roman citizens was captured by Irish raiders when he was just 16. The young Patrick spent the next six years as a slave. At that time, Ireland was a land of pagans and Druids.

Patrick worked as a shepherd before he escaped captivity. The experience apparently strengthened Patrick's faith, compelling him to return to Ireland as a priest. He later became a bishop and converted the Irish to Christianity. Although legend credits Patrick with driving the snakes from Ireland, that just seems to be a myth.

It is believed Patrick died around 461 A.D.

Also with St. Patrick's Day people start thinking of the Leprechaun and his pot of gold.