St. Patrick's Day brings boisterous parades and celebrations to New York and other cities

NEW YORK (AP) — St. Patrick’s Day, the annual celebration of all things Irish, was marked by parades throughout the United States on Monday, from a procession through Manhattan to a rolling spectacle through Savannah’s historic streets.

School marching bands and traditional Irish pipe and drum ensembles ambled down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue with uniformed delegations from the police and fire departments in New York City, which hosts one of the nation’s largest and oldest parades.

The celebration made its way north past designer shops and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a stunning neo-Gothic landmark that’s the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

Mayor Eric Adams donned a green cap and scarf and waved an Irish flag while Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan greeted marchers wearing a green, white and orange sash -- the national colors of the Emerald Isle.

“It’s fantastic to be here,” Ryan Hanlon, vice chairman of the parade’s board of directors, said as a light morning rain fell. “We’re getting a little bit of rain at the moment, but as we Irish call it, it’s just liquid sunshine.”

The New York celebration, in its 264th year, dates to 1762 — 14 years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Monday's parade lasted through the afternoon, ending on the east side of Central Park, about 35 blocks from where it started.

That's much, much longer than the 98-foot route in the resort town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, which claims it hosts the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

And in Savannah, thousands of revelers in gaudy green costumes crowded sidewalks and oak-shaded squares as the South’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade wound through the historic Georgia city. The parade marked its 200th anniversary a year ago, tracing its origins to the day Irish immigrants marched to church in March 1824.

Lindsey Dodd, who’s been coming to Savannah’s parade for about 15 years, sported green hair braids, green lipstick and shamrock-decorated socks as her group set up chairs in a prime spot for parade-watching. Children tooted plastic horns and grown ups raised their beers as pipe and drum bands marched and pickup trucks towed shamrock-decorated floats.

“I just enjoy the festivities, people watching, the chaos,” Dodd said. “There’s just something special about Savannah.”

Some other American cities transformed by Irish immigration held festivities over the weekend. Chicago, turning its namesake river bright green with dye, celebrated Saturday. Boston and Philadelphia held their parades on Sunday. And the water in the White House fountain was dyed green, a tradition started by President Barack Obama.

Across the pond, the Irish capital of Dublin culminated its three-day festival with a parade , and cities such as Liverpool, an English city also transformed by Irish immigration, hosted their own celebrations on St. Patrick’s feast day.

The parades are meant to commemorate Ireland’s patron saint but have become a celebration of Irish heritage globally since they were initially popularized by Irish immigrant communities to show solidarity in times of discrimination and opposition in the U.S.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul reflected on her Irish ancestors, who she said had been struggling potato farmers and fishermen from County Kerry.

“I live the American dream because my Irish immigrant grandparents came to this country as teenagers,” the Democrat said as she walked the Manhattan parade route. “I’m humbled by that story. That is the story of so many New Yorkers.”

Bynum reported from Savannah.

Ashley Pincheon cheers during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Lord Mayor of Belfast Micky Murray takes part in the St Patrick's Day Parade in Belfast, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Liam McBurney/PA via AP)

Britain's Kate, the Princess of Wales, poses for a photo with the Irish Guards, at a special St Patrick's Day parade and celebration at Wellington Barracks in London, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool photo via AP)

Michael Popovich from Houston, wears a tiny leprechaun hat he got from his niece during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Floral Park police officers drink Guinness in Megans Bar and Kitchen during the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Nora Devaney, 77, of the Donegal Association of New York, marching for her 61st year in a row, looks on during the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Protestors shout during the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

New York State Police march in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

U.S. Army Ranger Staff Sgt. Patrick Ortland, left, gets a hug from his mother Bernadette Ortland during the St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Savannah College of Art and Design student Abby Cooper celebrates with her friends during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

A group of local residents shout at group of cheerleaders during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Sophie Myers, left, kisses her boyfriend Benedictine Military School cadet Manning McGinty, center, as he marches in the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

Bella Brykailo, left, and her friend Leighton Smith guzzle a non-alcoholic drink during the 201st anniversary of Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

A Benedictine Military School cadet gets kissed by a group of friends during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Savannah, Ga. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)

New York Fire Department officers march with flags during the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

A child marches in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Crowds watch the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan has his photograph taken with people at the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Cameron Brown, 3, waves Irish flags as he sits on the shoulders of his mother Amanda Brown, 40, at the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

NYPD officers salute as they march in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Bands march in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives for the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrives for the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

People march in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

A wolfhound from the 69th Infantry Regiment looks on before the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Parade Grand Marshalls pose for a photograph before the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Bands march in the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

People wave flags during the 264th New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, Monday, March 17, 2025 in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Britain's Kate, the Princess of Wales, drinks Guinness during a reception with the Irish Guards, at a special St Patrick's Day parade and celebration at Wellington Barracks in London, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool Photo via AP)

Vice President JD Vance, third left, joins Ireland's Taoiseach Micheal Martin, left, during a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump ahead of the White House St Patrick's Day reception, Wednesday March 12, 2025, in Washington. (Niall Carson/PA via AP)

The fountain on the North Lawn of the White House is dyed green for St. Patrick's Day in Washington, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

The Chicago River is dyed green as part of annual St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Empty containers used for homemade drinks overflow the garbage cans after the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Tommy McCarthy and his wife Louise Costello, owners of the Burren Pub, play an Irish tune, Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Somerville, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Michele Hunter, of Pawlet, Vt., center left, and Erin Riley, of Saugus, Mass., cheer a performer at the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A sheet metal worker high-fives the crowd during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The Chicago River is dyed green as part of annual St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Performers shoot muskets at the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The Chicago River is dyed green as part of annual St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A Shriner motors by the crowd during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

April Loh, left, and Marie Maia, take a selfie while enjoying a Kiwi Mule mocktail, made without tequila, during the sober Saint Patrick's Day celebration at the Whistler House Museum, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Lowell, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

A man on a float encourages the crowd to cheer louder during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Britain's Kate, the Princess of Wales, gestures during a reception with the Irish Guards, at a special St Patrick's Day parade and celebration at Wellington Barracks in London, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool photo via AP)

People attend the St Patrick's Day Parade in Belfast, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Liam McBurney/PA via AP)

People attend the St Patrick's Day Parade in Belfast, Monday, March 17, 2025. (Liam McBurney/PA via AP)

The Chicago River is dyed green as part of annual St. Patrick's Day festivities Saturday, March 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Spectators watch the St. Patrick's Day parade from a balcony, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Spectators cheer at the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Spectators cheer during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A man dressed as a leprechaun slaps hands with the crowd during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A drummer performs during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Participants dressed as Minutemen march during the St. Patrick's Day parade, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Boston, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A participant smiles during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Montreal, Sunday, March 16, 2025.(Graham Hughes /The Canadian Press via AP)

BREMEN, Maine (AP) — Commercial fishermen and seafood processors and distributors looking to switch to new, lower-carbon emission systems say the federal funding they relied on for this work is either frozen or unavailable due to significant budget cuts promoted by President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.

The changes are designed to replace old diesel-burning engines and outdated at-sea cooling systems and are touted by environmentalists as a way to reduce seafood's carbon footprint. Salmon harvesters in Washington state, scallop distributors in Maine and halibut fishermen in Alaska are among those who told The Associated Press their federal commitments for projects like new boat engines and refrigeration systems have been rescinded or are under review.

“The uncertainty. This is not a business-friendly environment,” said Togue Brawn, a Maine seafood distributor who said she is out tens of thousands of dollars. “If they want to make America great again, then honor your word and tell people what's going on."

Decarbonization of the fishing fleet has been a target of environmental activists in recent years. One study published in the Marine Policy journal states that more than 200 million tons of carbon dioxide were released via fishing in 2016.

That is far less than agriculture, but still a significant piece of the worldwide emissions puzzle. With Earth experiencing worsening storms and its hottest year on record in 2024, reducing the burning of fossil fuels across different industry sectors is critical to fighting climate change, scientists have said.

But climate-friendly projects often cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading fishermen to seek U.S. Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency funds to cover some costs. DOGE, a commission assembled to cut federal spending, has targeted both agencies for cutbacks.

That has left fishermen like Robert Buchmayr of Seattle on the hook for huge bills. Buchmayr said he is nearing completion of a refrigeration project for a salmon boat and was counting on a $45,000 USDA grant to pay for a chunk of it. The agency told him last month the funding is on hold until further notice, he said.

“I'm scrambling, where does the money come from. I was counting on the grant,” Buchmayr said. “I was under the impression that if you got a grant from the United States, it was a commitment. Nothing in the letter was saying, 'Yes, we'll guarantee you the funds depending on who is elected.'”

The full extent of the cuts is unclear, and fishermen affected by them described the situation as chaotic and confusing.

Representatives for the USDA and EPA did not respond to requests for comment from AP about the value of the cuts and whether they were permanent. Dan Smith, USDA Rural Development's state energy director for Alaska, said updates about some grants could arrive in April.

Numerous fishermen, commercial fishing groups and advocates for working waterfronts told AP they learned about the changed status of their grant money in February and March. Some were told the money would not be coming and others were told the funds were frozen while they were subject to a review.

Many prospective grant recipients said they have had difficulty getting updates from the agencies. The lack of certainty has fishermen worried and seeking answers, said Sarah Schumann, a Rhode Island fisherman and director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, a fishermen-led network that works on climate issues.

“They've started contacting me in the last couple of weeks because they've had the plug pulled on money that was already committed,” Schumann said. “If they miss a season they could go out of business.”

In Homer, Alaska, Lacey Velsko of Kaia Fisheries was excited for her decarbonization project, which she said hinged on hundreds of thousands of dollars via a USDA grant to improve a refrigeration system on one of her boats. The recently completed project burns less fuel and yields a higher quality project for the company, which fishes for halibut, Pacific cod and other fish, she said.

But, now the company is told the money is unavailable, leaving a huge cost to bear, Velsko said.

“Of course we think it was unfair that we signed a contract and were told we would be funded and now we’re not funded. If six months down the road we’re still not funded I don’t know what avenue to take,” she said.

The funding cuts have also hurt seafood processors and distributors, such as Brawn in Bremen, Maine. Brawn said she received a little more than half a USDA grant of about $350,000 before learning the rest might not arrive.

Brawn received the grant for Dayboat Blue, a project that uses a membership-based model to get Maine seafood to nationwide customers while reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and packaging.

“This model can really help fishermen, it can help consumers, it can help communities,” Brawn said. “What it's going to do is it's going to stop the program.”

The confusion on the waterfront is another example of the bumpy rollout of government cutbacks under Trump. The Trump administration halted its firings of hundreds of federal employees who worked on nuclear weapons programs last month. It also moved to rehire medical device, food safety and other workers lost to mass firings at the Food and Drug Administration. New tariffs on key trading partners have also been chaotic.

In Bellingham, Washington, EPA funding was paused for five engine replacement projects split between three companies, said Dan Tucker, executive director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. He said the uncertainty about funding has made it difficult for fishermen to move ahead with projects that will ultimately benefit their businesses and the community at large.

“A lot of the small guys are like, 'Well, I really want to help out with climate change but I can't afford it,'” Tucker said.

This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Scallops are processed at a processing facility, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Bremen, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A bucket of scallops is seen on a dock, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Yarmouth, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Scallops are vacuum-sealed and ready for freezing at a processing facility, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Bremen, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Fishing boats are moored for the evening, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Bremen, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Seafood dealer Rogue Brawn speaks to a reporter at a processing facility, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Bremen, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Jody Nickels sort scallops at a processing facility, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Bremen, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

A scallop fishing boat leaves the dock, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Yarmouth, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)