Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade marched through Southie Sunday with no major issues or incidents, compared to a year ago.Thousands of people lined the parade route as the annual procession started earlier than usual this year,

Throngs of green-clad revelers have filled the streets of America’s most Irish big city for the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Paul Healey, of Holbrook, walks with friends toward the action of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in South Boston. – Pat Greenhouse/ The Boston Globe Participants dressed as Min