This year’s South Boston St. Patrick’s Day parade started earlier to curb last year’s public drinking and violence, which led to 11 arrests.

"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,

Most alcohol-related St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in South Boston will end by 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 16. In anticipation of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, liquor stores will close by 4 p.m. as usual on Sundays.