St. Patrick’s Day isn’t until Tuesday, but thousands of Denverites filled the streets of downtown with green on Saturday for the city’s 65th annual parade.

The parade, touted as one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country, started at 9:30 a.m. Marchers started at the intersection of 19th and Wynkoop streets, going down Wynkoop to Union Station before turning down 17th Street. They then marched to Blake Street, turned and went past Coors Field and finished the parade at 27th Street. Temperatures started off cool in the high 40s before warming to about 70 degrees by about 11 a.m.

Parade attendees began showing up early, around 7 a.m., as they staked out the best spots along the route as bar employees prepared to open. The parade went past packed streets with revelers crowding the sidewalks and pouring out of streetside bars. Notes from bagpipes and the banging of drums filled the air as Irish flags and kilts blew in the wind.

Green was everywhere in the crowds, from green sports jerseys to green checkered suits. Some wore bright green wigs in crazy hairdos with matching green glasses. And of course, many held cups filled with green beer, sipping as the parade marched by.

Bryan Fry came to the parade with his daughter Sloan, 4. Fry, who is from the Denver area, said he grew up coming to the parade and has been happy to pass the tradition down to his daughter. Of all the aspects of the parade, Fry said he loves seeing so many people gathered together in celebration.

“I think it’s just neat to see all these people out downtown,” Fry said. “And obviously when it’s a beautiful day, it’s just a great place to be.”

Sloan said her favorite thing about the parade is “everything,” though she has a soft spot for the horses. And while her favorite color is pink, she will tolerate wearing green for the day.

Hugh Dickey has been married to his wife Georgia for 52 years, though the couple said their attendance at the parade predates their marriage. The couple said the parade gave them an opportunity to celebrate their Irish heritage, which they proudly displayed with their clothing: a big green leprechaun hat and suit jacket for Hugh, and a plaid green beret and vest for Georgia.

The Dickeys said the music and dancing is their favorite part about the parade, especially the bagpipes.

According to the committee who puts on the parade, around 10,000 people march in the parade every year.