By Angela Carter, Register Staff

NEW HAVEN — Hundreds of St. Patrick’s Day Parade watchers refused to let monsoon-like conditions prevent them from cheering on their drenched loved ones, who marched spiritedly against the elements Sunday.

Then there were those along the Chapel Street parade route who were a bit wet over the Police Department’s inaugural crackdown on public drinking of alcohol.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing. If you want to drink, go home and do it,” said Susan Dunlop, who watched with her son, Patrick, and daughter, Megan.

“This is the first time we’re here. It’s because my nephew, who’s been practicing very hard, is marching in the parade with Nathan Hale School. We’re very excited for him,” Dunlop said.

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state Comptroller Nancy Wyman and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, were among the dignitaries who stepped off with the procession.

Rain forced onlookers and vendors alike to gather along the sidewalk under a covering at 900 Chapel St., in sheltered bus stops along the Green and a landing at the federal court house on Church Street, a few yards away from the reviewing stand.

Six-year-old Pablo Valencia stood on the sidelines with his mom, Ana Herrera, waiting for the popular “Star Wars” contingent to make an appearance.

“There are less people and the energy level is lower than before. I come to this parade every year. It’s had bad weather before,” said Francisco Cerna, a promoter who said the drinking ban — not rain and wind — dampened the event. “The St. Paddy’s Day Parade was so incredible before. The second you got here you felt energy,” she said. Continued...

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Sam Sulllivan agreed: “It’s been (a tradition) for years and years. It takes away the spirit from the parade, which is all about having fun.”

St. Patrick’s is the sixth-oldest parade in the country and Connecticut’s largest single-day spectator event.

Jeffrey Levinson, who manned the entry to Keys to the City at Café Bottega at Church and Temple streets, said the change in policy, along with live entertainment, kept foot traffic heavy there.

Many bars and taverns throughout downtown opened early and offered breakfast specials to attract a public that faced $99 tickets if they were caught drinking on the street.

“This will make more people go into the bars to drink instead of out here,” said John Glass. “I don’t drink anymore, I gave it up.”

Tyler Lynch, president of the alternative energy company, Energy Choice, based in Hartford, sipped Ed Hardy beer behind a barricade at Keys to the City, along with his buddy Chris Sattler of North American Power in South Norwalk.

“We’re in the right spot, we’re covered,” Lynch said. Establishments erected the short fences to mark off areas where patrons could drink outdoors legally and view the procession from the sidewalk.

Contact Angela Carter at 203-789-5752 or acarter@newhavenregister.com.

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