St. Patrick's Day Parade in Milwaukee 'a great tradition'

MILWAUKEE - Strong winds did not stop crowds from flooding downtown Milwaukee for the 57th Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday.

What they're saying:

Whoever said it's not easy being green clearly never met Saturday's parade-goers. Kelly Risch said she and her family come out every year. This time, she had a reason to be front and center.

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"We’re loving it. It’s great, a great tradition," she said. "My granddaughter’s dancing."

Despite the strong winds, Bob Husslein said it must be the luck of the Irish that kept this year's parade nice and sunny.

Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

"It’s beautiful. It’s warm out here," he said. "The camaraderie, the people, the fun. We come every year."

FOX6 News even asked the little ones what their favorite part of the parade was. For 6-year-old Evelyn, it was the candy and "when the guy was riding in the wheel."

Shamrock Club of Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

The backstory:

The parade featured over 100 units – including Irish dancers, pipe and drum corps, festive floats, local dignitaries and more. Each year, an estimated 20,000 people attend the parade and support downtown bars, restaurants and hotels.

Free ride program

What we know:

Molson Coors once again partnered with the Milwaukee County Transit System to activate the Miller Lite Free Rides program. Riders will be able to access fare-free public transportation from 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, until the end of regular service on all routes. More information can be found on the MCTS website. 

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Anyone celebrating should also consider ride-share services or other public transit options, including The Hop, to travel safely and responsibly.