Paul Healey, of Holbrook, walks with friends toward the action of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, in South Boston. – Pat Greenhouse/ The Boston Globe Participants dressed as Min

The annual St. Patrick's Day parade launched at the intersection of Lexington and Central avenues at 2 p.m. This year's parade grand marshals were Diane Leonard and Kyle McCauley Belokopitsky, according to the parade's website.

Yet while the holiday has become connected to heavy drinking over the centuries, a small but growing crowd has found ways to participate in the St. Patrick's Day parades, festival