Mild weather helps

With mild temperatures on Saturday, the annual parade to St. Patrick's Day brought out thousands of people along the Parade route in Rochester, which included parts of the East Avenue and the Main Street.

There were a number of marching bands and swimming bodies under the thousands, which also took part in this parade.

It is one of the oldest and largest parades of Rochester, which has been around for almost half a century.

Among the marched Saturday, Jackie Wihlen, who was there, was there to support Roc City Guardians pipes and drums.

“It looks great. There are a lot of people here, ”said Wihlen. “The weather is great and you just couldn't ask for a better day.”

Reporter: “I have to ask the obvious question, are you Irish?”

Wihlen: “I am Irish for today.”

Reporter: “Many people say that, but I think that's it, isn't it?”

Wihlen: No, it doesn't matter. You don't have to be Irish to love this day. “

Among the bagpipers in Roc City Guardians Pipes and Drums, the marched, Glen Johnson, who said he was half Irish and half Scottish, and these roots make the occasion for him something special.

“Many thoughts come back to their parents and grandparents when they do these things,” said Johnson. “I know, especially my grandmother would be absolutely enthusiastic that we are doing something like that.”

The topic of this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal and the contribution of the Irish who built it, and some of the swimmers reflected this topic.