CARRYING The Celtic Connection banner along West Georgia: Maura De Freitas (publisher/editor of The Celtic Connection) and her husband Jose. In front of them distributing the paper is Dylan Schmahmann.

STEVE MCVITTIE who has been the St. Patrick's parade marshal for the past six years with The Celtic Connection leprechaun (Julio de Freitas). Steve did an outstanding job again this year in spite of the weather.

FISHMONGER Molly Malone selling her wares along the St. Patrick's Day parade route.

JOHN O'FLYNN, secretary of the GAA Canadian County Board with St. Patrick (Tom O'Flynn) and John's daughter Kristi.

VOLUNTEERS with The Celtic Connection who handed out papers all along the parade route were (L-R) [Front] Jose de Freitas with our leprechaun (Julio de Freitas) and the man himself St. Patrick (Tom O'Flynn). [Back] Colleen Carpenter, Frank Dudfield, Sharon Brown, Tom Butler, Brenda Dudfield and Stephanie Boggan.

MEMBERS of the B.C. Regiment Irish Pipes and Drums warming up before the St. Patrick's Day parade.

RUDI DIESVELT and his merry band of Celtic warriors at the Vancouver 2009 St. Patrick's Day parade.

VISITORS from Alberta who enjoyed the St. Patrick's Day parade in Vancouver were: (L-R) Kathleen Quinn (Edmonton), Marian Quinn (Calgary) and Rebecca Ferguson-Quinn (Calgary).

SOME OF THE CROWD who braved the weather to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade in front of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

PHOTO: Donald McKillican VANCOUVER MAYOR Gregor Robertson waves to the crowds at the St. Patrick's Day parade as he rides in one of the horse-drawn carriages.

PHOTO: Brendan Flynn AT THE 2009 St. Patrick's Day parade on West Georgia Street in Vancouver, members of the men's and ladies teams of the Vancouver Irish and Sporting Club and local Irish dancers from the Violet Moore School of Irish Dance re-enact the beginnings of ice hockey. Canada's national game evolved in the 1800s from hurling - one of Ireland's national games. Courtesy of the Ireland Monument Vancouver.