The Big Apple looked more like the Green Apple yesterday — basking in sunshine and shamrocks to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Flag-waving spectators cheered under sunny skies as bagpipers, bands and the city’s uniformed services marched up Fifth Avenue for the 249th St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“I’m very proud to be Irish,” said John Rupy, who drove up from West Virginia with pals, donned a kilt and painted his face, legs, and toenails green. “My daughter thinks I’m crazy, but I don’t care, because this is the greatest parade of all.”
Jeff Buzzutto, who was clad like a leprechaun, managed to slip into the parade. “Who’s going to stop a leprechaun?” he asked.
Starting next month, all parade routes will be shortened under new city rules.
“This city has to balance its books,” Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday as he prepared to march in the parade.