Mariellen Somerville wasn?t sure if she has any Irish in her blood.
Quizzically, she turned to her husband to consult.
“Well,” she eventually concluded, “I?m at least more Irish than anyone over in Little Italy.”
Somerville and her husband, Norm, joined tens of thousands along Baltimore streets Sunday for the 52nd annual St. Patrick?s Day parade.
Many were true Irishmen; many others, Irish but for the day.
The Columbia couple said they?ve watched the steady stream of bagpipes, Irish dance troupes, costumed leprechauns and floats adorned with glittering shamrocks for more than 20 years, faithfully staking out a spot near the mailbox on Centre and Washington streets.
“It?s a tradition,” Norm Somerville said. “We wouldn?t miss it for the world.”
Perhaps the state?s most-recognized Irishman, Gov. Martin O?Malley, joined the parade with first lady Katie O?Malley and sons William and Jack. Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings Blake also became honorary Irish people.
Del. Jim Mathias launched green saltwater taffy from his car ? a shout out from his hometown of Ocean City.
“Both of my grandmothers were Irish,” Mathias said. “And it?s fun.”
Members of the Maryland Westie Rescue walked the parade route from the Washington Monument, down Charles and Pratt streets to Market Place with a gaggle of west highland terriers. Members used green food dye to, temporarily, camouflage the Scottish breed?s features.
“Today, they are Irish,” said John Giamalva of College Park. “Everyone?s Irish today.”
The parade has operated since 1956, funded by private donations from local businesses. This year, volunteers raised $92,000 and infused more than $1 million into the city?s economy, organizers said.
More than 2,500 runnersalso participated in the Shamrock 5K race before the parade, the second-largest of its kind in the state.
