Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Parade Marches Up 5th

Fifth Avenue turned green last night with Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, flooding NYC with Irish pride. Piper Mia Chen led 10,000 as 200,000 cheered, a 260-year tradition reborn. It’s borough craic—free to watch, bagpipes blared, pure Irish vibe. A kid waved a shamrock; a pro jigged wild. ‘Manhattan’s green—this is it,’ Chen says, puffing pipes. The street turned emerald.

The parade’s huge—annual, it’s tripled crowds since ’24, stretching from 44th to 79th. Chen’s a Midtown blower; last night’s march hit max—floats rolled. A late band joined—steppers synced; beer cans clinked—NYC grit glowed. St. Pat’s Cathedral blessed it—history rang. #NYCStPats trended; Staten’s jealous.

Some griped—’Too packed,’ sniped a tourist, dodging elbows. Trash piled—cans rolled; swept slow. A rival’s pitching a downtown reel, splitting green. Still, 300,000 stayed—pipes ruled. Fifth’s never marched so loud.

Chen’s teasing a pub crawl, maybe a float fest if spring bites. ‘NYC’s Irish—this crowns it,’ she says, packing pipes. The parade’s a Manhattan win—grit meets glee. It’s a green blast; catch next year. Bring a hat—shamrocks fly.