NYC celebrates St. Patrick's Day with annual parade
The nation's oldest and largest annual St. Patrick's Day parade went down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday.
Marchers started at 11 a.m. on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and ended at 79th Street. The parade started in 1762.
This year, gay and lesbian groups marched under their own banners. Because of that change, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio marched in the parade for the first time.
Dozens of high school marching bands from Long Island also participated in the parade.
The Long Island Rail Road added 10 additional eastbound trains from Penn Station. All alcohol is banned Thursday at LIRR stations and on platforms and trains until 5 a.m. Friday.
Nassau County teamed up with local bars and restaurants to provide a free taxi service. All Island Taxi will drive revelers home from bars and will drive them back to their cars the next day.