Colorfully dressed women participate in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

A clown entertains public during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

A hockey fan participates in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

A bus drives during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

Vancouver Police Pipe Band march through the streets during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

Spectators watch the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

Fiddlers entertain public during the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Vancouver, Canada, March 17, 2013. Thousands of people have crowded downtown Vancouver to watch as bagpipers, Irish dancers and hurlers paraded with dreadlocked dancers, green samba queens, and even a roller derby team took part in the 9th annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The festivities continue the centuries-old custom of partying on the saint's feast day, March 17, to honour his role of helping convert the Irish to the Catholic faith. (Xinhua/Sergei Bachlakov)

 

A reveler takes part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Toronto, March 17, 2013. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziqian)

 

A reveler takes part in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Toronto, March 17, 2013. (Xinhua/Zhang Ziqian)

 

The Black Watch Pipes and Drums perform druing the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, March 17, 2013. Despite the bitter cold, an estimated 250,000 Montrealers lined the streets of the city to witness more than 100 organizations that took part in the event with floats and performances for the parade. (Xinhua/Andrew Soong)

 

A staff member puts the finishing touches on the giant effigy of Saint Patrick druing the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, March 17, 2013. Despite the bitter cold, an estimated 250,000 Montrealers lined the streets of the city to witness more than 100 organizations that took part in the event with floats and performances for the parade. (Xinhua/Andrew Soong)