Staff photo by Fritz Busch Casey Lux, right, waves to St. Patrick’s Day parade-goers Tuesday.

NEW ULM — St. Patrick’s Day parade participants sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” at the start of the parade up Minnesota Street Tuesday.

Snowflakes fell prior to the parade but they didn’t last. A cool temperature and a chilly northwest wind were no match for Irish determination as Minnesota’s longest-running St. Patrick’s Day Parade proceeded for the 61st year, traveling from 3rd Street South to Fourth Street North.

Last year, it was 66 degrees for the parade. Three years ago, temperatures were in the single digits. Most parade participants rode in vehicles this year due to icy streets and sidewalks.

Emily Atnip and her children Eldrick and Wallace, and Laurie Klement, representing the Becky Bakes bake shop, carried buckets of candy they distributed to parade-goers.

“It’s a cold day for a parade, but I think the Parade of Lights (the day after Thanksgiving), has been colder,” said Emily Atnip.

Casey Lux dressed the part well, waving to parade-goers.

New Ulm native Jim Donnelly of Brooklyn Park, made the trip to New Ulm for the parade. He walked up Minnesota Street with former parade queen Gigi Rysdahl of New Ulm and her dog.

Donnelly said he remembered participating in the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 1966.

“It was a bit of a controversy all in good fun back then with the Irish walking up Minnesota Street like we do now,” said Donnelly. “New Ulm has been a great city with many parades. This town has always welcomed people. My parents raised nine kids here.”

Other participants included The Narren and the New Ulm High School Spring Play cast of “Puffs.”

After the parade, the traditional “Gathering of the Clans” began in the Kaiserhoff with food, spirits, conviviality and entertainment from the Concord Singers.