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Montreal’s St. Patrick’s Day parade hardly needs an introduction. After all, it’s been a Montreal mainstay for 194 years.
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It’s not only the oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in North America, it’s also touted as one of the biggest.
The grand affair, organized by the United Irish Societies of Montreal, kicked off at noon, at the corner of Fort and Ste-Catherine streets.
Heading the parade was Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, who was chosen as this year’s Grand Marshall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also made an appearance.
READ MORE: 8 Irish phrases to help you get around on St. Patrick’s Day
The procession featured 20 floats and hundreds of groups representing the different Montreal communities.
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WATCH BELOW: Just having fun at Montreal’s St. Paddy’s Day parade
In this hockey-crazy town, a parade wouldn’t be complete without some fabulous hockey players marching along.
The Clarkson Cup champions Montreal Canadiennes women’s hockey team took part in the festivities, as did a special group of young hockey players from Ireland.
WATCH BELOW: Clarkson Cup champs Les Canadiennes to have float at St. Patrick’s Day parade
The youth make up a team called the Flying Ducks and were invited to take part in the parade to highlight the need for better training facilities in the Republic of Ireland.
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PHOTO GALLERY: 2017 Montreal St. Patrick’s Day parade
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The Flying Ducks came all the way from Dublin, Ireland to take part in Montreal St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Early birds arrive ahead of Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Pipers march in Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Mayor Denis Coderre is the Grand Marshall of Montreal's 194th St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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The Grand Marshall heads the Montreal St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Crowds take in Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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A marching band is featured in Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
Sebastien Gagnon-Dorval/Global News
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Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Waving the Irish flag at Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
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Pipers march in Montreal St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 18, 2017.
Sebastien Gagnon-Dorval/Global News
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Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
Sebastien Gagnon-Dorval/Global News
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Crowds line the street at Montreal's St. Patrick's Day parade. Sunday, March 19, 2017.
Sebastien Gagnon-Dorval/Global News
Some 750, 000 people were expected to gather in downtown Montreal to take in the show.
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If you’ve never seen the sea of floats amble by, this Sunday might have been the perfect day to take it all in with Environment Canada predicting a balmy 2 C.
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