'It's not really about the DNA': 55th St. Patrick's Day parade draws thousands

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Saturday, March 11, thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Milwaukee, celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

The parade was hosted by the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin.

This was the 55^th year for the parade.

"I'm so excited to be here, so of course I had to be all celebratory, and wear a nice costume," said parade spectator, Natasha Lindow.

The parade was full of floats, Irish dancers and families of all walks of life.

"It's not really about the DNA, it's about your cultural identity, it's about what you're interested in," said Mike Boyle, parade director with the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin.

Boyle went on to say the celebration is a chance to put Milwaukee-Irish heritage on display.

"The parade is a chance for us demonstrate to the Milwaukee community the depth and breadth of the Irish community here."

The parade kicked off around noon and lasted for an hour-and-a-half.

For more information on the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, and for ways you can participate in next year's parade, click the link here.