Miss Maine Teen USA 2015 Skyler Gaudette & Miss Maine USA 2015 Heather Elwell Marched in the Parade.

Strong Winds Made for a Good Flag Waving Day.

Summer Bush, 5, of Raymond Enjoyed the Parade Despite the Raw Temperatures.

Orion Bush, 10 Weeks Old, and Brother of Summer, Was Possibly the Youngest at the Parade.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,240)

Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicked off today at noon at the Fish Pier Parking lot on Commercial Street.  The Parade proceeded along Commercial Street to the Casco Bay Ferry Terminal near Franklin Street. Some stopped off at RiRa Bar & Restaurant for a warming drink!  It was hosted by the Irish American Club of Maine.

There were bag pipe bands, Irish dancers, floats, elected officials,  first responders and Scouts. Leading the Parade down Commercial Street was the Maine Police Emerald Society, pictured below.

.The overcast sky, strong winds and occasional snowflakes may have played a role in diminishing the size of the crowd, although the conditions didn’t diminish the enthusiasm and smiles of those who marched in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  In the background the time and temperature building sign said 29 degrees, although it felt much colder than that.