Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The 'Luck of the Irish' was shining in Buffalo as the cold rain stopped and the sun shone through along the parade route in the return of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Thousands lined Delaware Avenue to watch as the fire trucks, Irish music and dance floats and politicians marched up Delaware Avenue from Niagara Square.
"A lot of fun, the weather's perfect," said one parade reveler as the Irish Rinca Na Tiarna dance float was passing by.
"It is great to be back," exclaimed Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown as he stepped out onto Delaware Avenue and marched with newly named interim Buffalo Schools Superintendent Dr. Tonja Williams. "I'm excited to see all the students and the parents and the families," said Williams as she marched in the parade for the first time.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is no stranger to the Buffalo parade but this was historic as it was the first time she marched as governor in the parade. "Top of the mornin' to ya, it's a beautiful day," said Hochul in quick comments as she turned to march on Delaware with Rep. Brian Higgins and other politicians.
It could be a big week for Hochul as a deal on a new Buffalo Bills stadium and lease is expected any day.
WBEN's Tim Wenger said to the governor, "There's a lot of green in that stadium deal." "Lot of green," Hochul quipped in response.
Bishop Michael Fisher was on hand for the parade for the first time since taking leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. "I feel like we're breaking out of our cocoon," Fisher said. "It's good that St. Patrick does that for us."
The parade Sunday was the first in three years as the pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2019 and 2020 parades.