The Saint Patrick Day Parade is one of the smaller parades. There were no barricades lining the street. The significant crowds only extended from 2nd to just after 5th Street, and then they were sparse enough for children to easily find seating at the front of any curb.

Representatives of the San Francisco Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit lead the parade. As usual their horses were handsome, well cared for animals.

The Bushmills San Francisco Irish Pipers is sponsored by Bushmills Irish Whiskey. Formed in 1932, the band claims to be the oldest continuously active Irish Pipe Band west of the Mississippi River. Their kilts are the County Wexford tartan.

The Bushmills Distillery on the drum's side, and the Irish Pipers Band on the drum's edge.

The kids in the back of a truck turned out to be more interesting than all of the walking police that preceded them.

In Oakland, the kids of Firefighters learn to smoke cigars at a very young age.

An old, rusted fire engine had working sirens.

Formed in 1915, Troop 12 includes boys from public schools such as Hoover, Roosevelt, AP Gianninni, Presidio and private schools including Star of the Sea.

Almost every baby seen that day was dressed up to celebrate the occasion.

Frank Chu has made a name for himself by appearing throughout the City carrying his unique sign. The 12 Galaxies Bar (before it closed) had been named after one of the phrases on his sign at the time. Frank Chu's sign was sponsored by the Laughing Squid

A tall-capped pseudo-saint had just bent over when the truck passed.

They claim to be the only remaining, real "scatter" band (on the east coast called "scramble" bands) from a public university and the only "scatter-marching" band "in the known universe!"

The parade of the Irish wolfhounds is a favorite. These huge, gentle dogs are a very old breed. Some suggest it may have been brought to Ireland as early as 3500 BCE.

Chartered in 1903, the Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union No. 104 represented many of those working in sheet metal throughout Northern California.

Located in San Rafael, California, the Brosnan School of Irish Dance was founded in 2003. The school was named after its fonder Lisa Brosnan-Hynes.

The costume was worn to help sell Girl Scout cookies.

Lincoln Middle School was located at 1250 Fernside Boulevard in Alameda.

Founded in 1960, Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band was from Los Trancos Woods (in Portola Valley behind Palo Alto). It is an unstructured band with members of all ages including some over 80 years old.

A double decker bus full of additional band members followed those marching.

Their motto was, "Staying on Our Toes in Sonoma County for 25 Years!"

The back of a flatbed truck was filled with the members of the Cosgrave's Clan. Almost all drinking beer. A few drinking whiskey.

An old, but very well maintained, fire engine decked out for the parade but labeled as, "Blarney Fire Department."

Their motto was, "Healing kids with laughter and love."

Local 16 was part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). The IATSE represented technicians who served all parts of the entertainment industry. The organization claimed to be over 100 years old.

A truck followed those marching.

Members of the Divine Land Marching Band wore blue traditional Chinese costumes.

A store that sold apparel to folks that wanted to appear as if they were originally from San Francisco.

Just as men on horses began the parade, women on horses concluded it.

The rear side of the horse was all that remained of a fine parade.