Green a Red Light for Motorists

Downtown traffic slowed to a crawl at midday Thursday as police blocked off streets for the city’s sixth annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

An area bounded on the north by the 101 Freeway, on the east by Los Angeles Street, on the south by 4th Street and on the west by Hill Street was closed for more than an hour as the noisy, exuberant parade wound its way from Pershing Square to Olvera Street.

Motorists headed for destinations within the parade area were thwarted by police barricades. Many drivers were forced to seek refuge in downtown parking lots, which charge up to $12 an hour, and complete their journeys on foot.

But if the motorists were frustrated, parade participants and spectators appeared to be having a good time. Bystanders clapped and cheered as street dancers, marching bands, vintage fire engines, antique cars, a stagecoach and waving local dignitaries passed in review.

Mayor James K. Hahn, who is running for reelection, popped out of the top of a Police Department rescue vehicle to start the parade, then rode the rest of the way on a fire engine.

His opponent, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, rode in the back of a 1951 Chevrolet convertible.

There was green everywhere -- balloons, banners, costumes and painted faces. Those stopping off at local watering holes found green beer.

Crowds were thick around Pershing Square, but thinned out considerably as the parade headed up Broadway to the Civic Center. Several observers appeared confused, saying they didn’t know what the parade was all about.

“St. Patrick’s Day?” one motorist said. “No kidding!”