Thousands Of Irish and Irish Wannabes March Through Corktown

Some 70,000 people who lined Michigan Avenue in Corktown Sunday afternoon, according to estimates from parade officials.

Some parade-goers sprayed their hair green, Elisha Anderson of the Free Press reports, while others donned green feather boas, wigs, shamrock glasses, sequin bow ties and headbands with Irish flags.

Weather — with temperatures that hit the mid 60s in Detroit Sunday afternoon according to NWS — played a big role in parade attendance, said Mike Kelly, co-chairman of the parade and president of the United Irish Societies, the organization that puts on the event.

“It’s in the bylaws to have the parade the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day so that the Irish bar owners have two days of revenue,” he said.