Spring-like temperatures helped turned up the already festive mood of thousands of revellers at New York's St Patrick's Day Parade despite evidence of heightened police security.
"I'm representing Ireland and New York today. It's a day for happiness and to be together," said Greg Packer who sported a bright green wig and a painted green moustache. "It's a day to take in the Irish culture that we have in the city."
Thousands lined up ten deep along Fifth Avenue as the parade - a New York tradition since 1766 - stepped off at 44th Street and made its way north to 86th Street. By noon, the temperature was 66 degrees.
There were few signs that a war with Iraq was on people's minds. Among the sea of green hats, shirts and balloons, a lone sign that read Honk For Our Troops was a reminder.
Road closures and a high police visibility were part of the security plan for the parade, which attracts 150,000 marchers and two million spectators. A no-tolerance policy on alcohol and backpack checks were implemented at the parade.
The city's terrorist alert level has been orange, the second-highest on a five-point scale, since the September 11th, attacks.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg began the day by hosting a breakfast reception at Gracie Mansion and then attended Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral led by Cardinal Edward Egan.
Mr Bloomberg, who has already participated in several other St Patrick's Day parades this month, including a gay-inclusive event in Queens, has been criticised for marching in today's parade by a group of gay and lesbian Irish-American politicians.
In the Fifth Avenue event, organised by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, gays are barred from marching under their own banner, as many other groups do.
AP