Folks are wearing green from Chicago to New York to Dublin to mark the holiday. Here in the Quad Cities, we're no exception, with our own unique parade. It's a celebration worth celebrating.
Now in its 28th year, the annual Grand Parade brings the Quad Cities together - literally.
It's the only bi-state parade in the country.
It starts in Rock Island, makes its way across the Centennial Bridge, and winds its way through the heart of downtown Davenport, spreading the luck of - or at least love for - the Irish all the way.
Some chilly temperatures were no match though for the tens of thousands of people who turned out to watch this year's parade.
One big draw, of course, was the wide variety of entertainment offered - everything from live music and dancing, to dressed up dogs and dressed up marchers, to float after float after float of Irish and not-so-Irish themed fun.
That made it tough to choose a favorite part.
"Best part of the parade has got to be the beads, right guys?" one parade-goer, Terry Heyl, said, seeking consensus from his family as they left the parade grounds. "Yeah," they enthusiastically replied.
Still, other parade attendees had their own favorites:
"Candy!" exclaimed nine-year-old Halle Bock.
"The green and all the people," Boyd Conklin, of Davenport, said.
"I loved the parade and it's just really fun," said Autumn Jensen, of Bettendorf.
There was no shortage of Irish pride in this year's parade. After all, celebrating our Hibernian heritage is what St. Patrick's Day is all about.
And, whether you're Irish by birth - or just Irish for the day - this shamrock-filled procession did not disappoint.
The parade was just part of the celebration schedule.
After it wrapped up, the RiverCenter opened its doors for a post-parade bash, complete with music, dancers, food, and Irish memorabilia.
