St. Patrick's Parade To Kick Off At 11

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade heads up Fifth Avenue, starting at 44th Street, at 11 this morning. The Gothamist has an interview with Tommy Smyth, the St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall, and he's obviously excited about the day's festivities.

Gothamist:

What does being the Grand Marshall of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade mean to you?
It’s the greatest civic honor that an Irish person can receive in the US. I arrived here in 1963 and it has never crossed my mind that I would lead the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day parade in the world. It’s one of the greatest days in my life.

For those that aren't Irish, how should they (if at all) celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
Everybody should celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. On Saint Patrick's Day the world has 2 kind of people: the Irish and those who want to help us celebrate. Go out and have a good time.

Tommy Smyth, St. Patrick's Day Parade Grand Marshall [Gothamist]