Montreal goes green for annual St. Patrick's Day parade

Thousands of Montrealers came out to watch the 195th annual St. Patrick's Day parade onSunday afternoon.

The parade began atthe corner of de Maisonneuve Boulevard and City Councillors Street.

Twentyfloats, 25 marching bands and more than 4,000 participants, including Mayor Valrie Plante.

There were also Irish dancers and traditional bagpipers.

Montrealerswho have gotten used to watching floats advance along Ste-Catherine Street year after year had to adjust as the parade route was changedfrom east to west along deMaisonneuve.

The parade moved for the first time in 55 years due to ongoing construction work on Ste-Catherine Street.

It's one of the oldest and biggest parades in North America, with more than 100 groupsthat take part.

Even the dogs were out in full shamrock garb to enjoy the sunny day.