Bagpipes could be heard outside of city hall in Utica Wednesday as an Irish Flag was raised in preparation to the annual St. Paddy's Day Parade. Mayor Dave Roefaro and Parade Grand Marshall Frank Kealy had the honors.

St Patrick's Day is a holy day of obligation for catholics in Ireland. In America, for most, it's an excuse to party.

Parade chairman Kevin Dowling is encouraging Irish-Americans to do more than just drink beer as they celebrate. "Have a good time and drink some beer, we don't say not to do that, we like to celebrate, we're known for it--our spirit and our character is part of that--but let's also consider what St. Patrick's day really is, a celebration of our culture and our heritage."

"Almost half of George Washington's Army was Irish and nine of the 56 people who signed the Declaration of Independence were of Irish Ancestry", Dowling said of the contributions the Irish have made in America. 

The annual painting of the green-line down the parade route on Genesee Street will happen Friday.

The parade steps-off on Saturday at 10 a.m.