Thousands of revelers turned out Sunday to take part in the South Side Irish Day Parade.

The music ranged from the traditional bagpipes to the contemporary sounds of the rap artist Timberland.

Float themes paid tribute to politicians and dance troupes.

South Side parade spectators get into the spirit / Photo by Tunisia Fortson

Spectators along the route, which ran from 103rd to 115th Street along Western Avenue, danced the Irish jig, smoked cigars and, in longstanding tradition, did a fair amount of drinking.

Spectator Chuck Banelli summed it up: "There is nothing like being pie-faced at 1 in the afternoon."

Organizer Terry Norris says the event draws as many as 200,000 people each year.