Despite Brisk Conditions, Thousands Gather for St. Patrick's Day Parade

By Dave Bohl, Andrew Houp
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    Spectators view members of the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa perform in Saturday's St. Patrick's Day parade in Des Moines. The annual parade is hosted by the Des Moines chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Photo: Andrew Houp

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    Parade Marshall, Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek, accompanied by KXNO 106.3 radio host Heather Burnside. Photo: Andrew Houp

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    With brisk outside conditions, some parade spectators were able to take in the full event, viewing from inside the skywalk over Grand Avenue. Photo: Andrew Houp

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    Crowds look on as Queen of the parade, Audrey Chambers, surveys the site and the many people all over that came to watch. Photo: Andrew Houp

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    The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick marching during Saturday's annual St. Patrick's parade in downtown Des Moines. The group organizes the annual parade, which had a modified route this year, westbound down Grand Avenue, due to construction along the traditional parade route. Photo: Andrew Houp

(Des Moines, IA) -- Brisk and cool weather didn't keep people away from this year's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

"I think it's been great, the bagpipes are my favorite," said parade goer Rich Ryan, "it's wonderful to see all these people here supporting St. Patrick's Day in the City of Des Moines."

The parade had a different structure from normal this year. "With all of the construction in Des Moines, we had to change our route," said Colton O'Conner, with the Des Moines chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. He said the decision was made to move the direction westbound down Grand Avenue towards eighth street from the East Village.

The parade drew thousands of people of this year, and started right at noon Saturday.

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