The streets of South Boston ran green with Irish pride Sunday morning, as revelers poured out for the earlier, stricter edition of Southies annual St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Parade.

“This is Boston’s finest,” Southie resident Casey Collins shouted over the roar of Bostonians singing along to “Sweet Caroline” as a musical float rolled by on 5th St. “We love our town, we love each other, and we love a good time.”

The city’s 120th-annual St. Paddy’s Day parade again wound a wild and festive route from Broadway Station to Andrew Square, kicking off at 11:30 a.m.

From booing costumed “British Redcoats,” to dancing along to Irish jigs in the streets, to bringing out all the shamrocks, flags and green beer, traditions of the holiday again took over the neighborhood in full force on a warm but overcast Sunday.

The city put a emphasis on security at this year’s parade after a swell in underaged drinking, violence and arrests last year, including starting the parade earlier, beefing up police and EMS presence and shutting down bars earlier. In a pre-parade press briefing, the police commissioner noted this is a “family-friendly event” and “not a drinking fest.”

“The security changes we implemented were effective,” said City Councilor Ed Flynn, who advocated for the changes after the 2024 parade incidents, noting there was still “significant underage drinking and some violence,” as well as many people taken to the hospital for excessive drinking.

The Boston Police Department reported nine people arrested at the parade and four more set to be summoned to South Boston District Court, as of 6 p.m. Sunday.

The arrests and summons include 12 adults and one minor, according to Boston Police spokesperson Sgt. Detective John Boyle. Charges include minor in possession of alcohol, destruction of property, drinking in public, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assault and battery, disturbing the peace, affray and disorderly, and assault and battery on police officers, Boyle said.

Boston and MBTA  Transit police both shared photos Sunday of piles of booze confiscated from revelers, including many so-called BORG (Black Out Rage Gallons) mixed and carried by students.

Ten people were arraigned in South Boston Court the day after the parade last year, and charges included several incidents of violence and two gun possessions. South Boston residents also reported huge amounts of trash and destruction after the 2024 parade, the city’s largest since the pandemic.

“As someone who’s living here for the first time, I’m excited about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” said Scott O’Brien, a new Southie resident sporting green glasses and a temporary shamrock tattoo. “I think regardless of specifically what we’re celebrating, you just have to hold your friends accountable, and there’s no reason that we all can’t have a good time if you’re holding each other accountable, right? Protect your own and enjoy yourself.”

Parade-goers ran the gambit Sunday, with some younger revelers sporting the BORG jugs and green shirts announcing “Let the shenanigans begin” and “Degenerate,” and families making grabs for candy and petting the horses and dogs marching by.

Six-year-old Domenic, standing with his mom, dad and golden retriever Gracie in a shamrock scarf, said he was having “a lot of fun” and enjoying the candy, firing guns and music.

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“This is his fifth parade,” said his dad Travis Hall. “We’ve been here for 12 years doing the parades.”

“He came home from the hospital on parade day,” chimed in mom Sarah Hall. “It was his birthday yesterday.”

“We live just a couple blocks away,” said Travis Hall. “So it’s so much fun to come to, and we love the parade every year.”

Riders on the WROL 950 Radio Station float get rowdy during the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Spectators show their colors during Sunday’s parade. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Mayor Michelle Wu and City Councilor Ed Flynn cut the ribbon to kick off South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
People dance in the streets during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)