A reveler holds an Irish flag while attending the St. Patrick's Day parade Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in New York. St. Patrick's Day revelers took a break from worries about the global economy to enjoy a day of shamrock-themed frivolity, dyeing city fountains green, taking icy ocean plunges and crowding sidewalks along parade routes to see and be seen.
The St. Patrick's Day parade passes St. Patrick's Cathedral Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in New York.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg walks in the St. Patrick's Day parade Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in New York.
Washington
The fountain in front of the White House flows with green water, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in honor of St. Patrick's Day in Washington.
President Barack Obama holds a bowl of shamrocks given to him by Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington.
Savannah, Ga.
Rielly Weathers watches a band pass by during the St. Patrick's Day parade Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Savannah, Ga. Celebrated here since 1824, this coastal city's sprawling parade and street party have become its most lucrative tourist attraction, drawing up to 400,000 revelers every March 17.
Joan Guyer of Savannah, Ga. waives to marchers during the St. Patrick's Day parade Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Savannah, Ga.
Dublin, Ireland
A boy watches the St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, March, 17, 2009. An estimated 500,000 Irish, immigrants and tourists lined up along a parade route in Dublin on Tuesday to celebrate the national holiday dimmed some this year by an economic recession and rising violence.
The St. Patrick's Day parade makes its way through the center of Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, March, 17, 2009. An estimated 500,000 Irish, immigrants and tourists jammed into Dublin to celebrate the boisterous and boozy national holiday darkened this year by deepening recession and rising violence, but "To hell with the recession! Let's dance!" shouted a leprechaun-dressed street entertainer in the parade.
A boy watches the St Patrick's Day parade through shamrock-tinted glasses in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, March, 17, 2009.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
A dog called Shamrock is dressed in a festive costume for St, Patrick's Day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, March 17, 2009. Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin emphasized that the island's 4 million Catholics must pray on St. Patrick's Day for an end to Irish Republican Army dissident attacks that claimed three lives this month in the British territory of Northern Ireland.
A girl enjoys the atmosphere at the St., Patrick's Day parade in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
Fort Myers, Fla.
Dressed as a leprechaun, Tedi Valentine of Cape Coral, Fla., high-fives Boston Red Sox players prior to their spring training baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, Fla., Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The Red Sox wore green uniforms in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. Valentine works for the player's caterer.
Portland, Maine
A participant in the "Paddy's Day Plunge" celebrates as he comes out of the 37 degree Atlantic Ocean at East End Beach, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Portland, Maine. About 75 people jumped into the chilly water at 5:30 a.m. to raise money for the Portland Firefighter's Children Burn Unit in the annual St. Patrick's Day swim sponsored by a local Irish pub.