New York City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade turns fashionable Fifth Avenue green, and Mayor Bill de Blasio will end his two-year boycott over gay rights and march in the world’s largest Irish heritage celebration. The 255th edition of New York City's parade is expected to draw more than 1 million spectators to watch 200,000 spirited marchers, including more than 100 bands. This year’s event honors the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, which led to Ireland’s independence.

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A rainbow flag is waved before the start of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Grand Marshal of the 2016 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Senator George J. Mitchell shakes hands with Miss New York, Jamie Lynn Macchia before the start of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) An Irish Wolfhound takes part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Two young woman proudly wear shamrocks on their cheeks enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A young woman with her face painted in the colors of the flag of Ireland watches the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the FDNY Emerald Society await to march in the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo shakes hands with New Yorkers during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of 69th Infantry Regiment march during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drums march on Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2014, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A boy marches with the 69th Infantry Regiment during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Grand Marshal of the 2016 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Senator George J. Mitchell waves to the crowds at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio marches with NYPD at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Members of the NYPD Band their way up Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drums march on Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2014, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the U.S. Navy march up Fifth Ave. during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
A member of the NYPD Emerald Society performs on Fifth Ave. during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) New York State Troopers Pipe and Drums during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Two young marchers look festive during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Young marchers smile for the camera during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A horse from the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy is dressed for the day with a green hat for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Members of Sewanhaka High School Band from Elmont perform on Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2014, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the U.S. Navy march up Fifth Ave. during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the FDNY Color Guard await to march during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
2016 NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade Members of The Ancient Order of Hibernians from Orange County, New York, perform during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Performers from the Westlake Dance Company of Saratoga Springs Utah entertain the crowds during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
Members of the FDNY Color Guard await to march during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) People dress up and enjoy the party like atmosphere during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) The FDNY Emerald Society Bagpipes march their way up Fifth Ave. during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio arrives for start of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Members of the FDNY Color Guard await to march during the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Spectators look festive while watching the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
People dress up and enjoy the party like atmosphere during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) A man plays the bagpipes the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News) Children march and hold up a banner during the St. Patrick's Day Parade, March 17, 2016, in New York. (Gordon Donovan/Yahoo News)
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