Boston holds city's 118th St. Patrick's Day Parade

SOUTH BOSTON — Boston's 118th St. Patrick's Day parade kicked off Sunday afternoon in South Boston, with thousands gathering to celebrate as a string of good luck brought great weather to the city.

This year, the parade route was back to normal after a streak of snow in 2018, with most of the snow melted in the neighborhood for Sunday's festivities.

>>Related Weather: WATCH: Cooler St. Patrick's Day

Last year, late-season snow storms forced a shorter route. Up to a million people attend the parade every year. Many parade-goers get to South Boston early to claim their spots. This year they’ll be able to spread out because of the longer route

"They’re going to be able to spread out there from Broadway Station to Andrew Station all throughout the neighborhoods, so there won’t be any bunching up of people like we’ve had in the past because of all the snow in the street," said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Saturday. "So, we’re going to have a good, long parade tomorrow that should be a lot of fun."

With the parade route being closed off to traffic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, public transportation was the best way to get into South Boston, with additional MBTA staff and Transit Police on hand at T stations throughout the day to ensure commuter safety.

Boston Police announced additional road closures and parking restrictions, as well. Crowd size on Sunday was even higher than other years, with the parade falling on St. Patrick’s Day this year.

According to BPD, the following streets had parking restrictions in the form of tow zones:

• Dorchester Ave, Both sides, from Gillette Park to Old Colony Ave, and, both sides, from Dorchester Street to Damrell Street
• Foundry Street, Both sides, from Greenbaum Street to Dorchester Avenue
• West Second Street, Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to A Street
• A Street, Both sides, from Binford Street to West Second Street
• Binford Street, Both sides, from A Street heading northwesterly to end at 45 Binford Street
• West Fourth Street, Both sides, from A Street to Dorchester Avenue
• West Broadway, Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to Dorchester Street
• East Broadway, Both sides, from Dorchester Street to P Street
• P Street, Both sides, from East Broadway to East Fourth Street
• East Fourth Street, Both sides, from P Street to K Street
• K Street, Both sides, from East Fourth Street to East Fifth Street
• East Fifth Street, Both sides, from K Street to G Street
• G Street, Both sides, from East Fifth Street to #96 G Street
• Thomas Park, Both sides from G Street to Telegraph Street
• Telegraph Street, Both sides, from Thomas Park to Dorchester Street
• Dorchester Street, Both sides, from Telegraph Street to Dorchester Avenue
• West Sixth Street, Both sides, from F Street to Dorchester Street
• F Street, Southeast side (Boys & Girls Club side), West Sixth Street to Bowen Street

Mayor Walsh urged people to be responsible, mentioning that open carry laws were still in effect – so alcohol could only be consumed inside.

"We want everyone to know it's a family day," Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said. "No public drinking, no public smoking."

The parade started at the Broadway T station and continued onto Broadway throughout several South Boston neighborhoods. It ended in Andrew Square on Dorchester Ave.

Among those marching in Sunday's parade were Republican Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic Boston Mayor Martin Walsh.

Before the parade, the state's political leaders gathered for the St. Patrick's Day Breakfast in the city's South Boston neighborhood for Irish songs, Irish dancing and groan-worthy political jokes.

Baker was one of the event's headliners. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley and Walsh were among the top Democrats who attended.

Former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden offered video-taped greetings.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, running for the Democratic nomination for president, was campaigning in Tennessee on Sunday and wasn't at the breakfast.

>>MORE: St. Patrick's Day 2019: 7 places to get green food, drinks and deals

Cox Media Group