Keira O’Brien, of Falmouth, dances a jig along with a 50-member dance troupe Sunday during Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street. The dancers are from the Gorham-based Stillson School of Irish Dance.

Zabina Zimmerman, 4, of Cape Elizabeth, struggles to extract candy from a bowl with her heavy winter gloves Sunday during Portland’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street. Turnout was light this year, perhaps due to cloudy skies, freezing temperatures and the forecasted snow.

Katie Arley, a member of the Irish American Club of Maine, laughs Sunday during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street. The annual event is organized by the club.

The Portland Fire Department Honor Guard pauses at the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade Sunday, March 15, on Commercial Street.

The Maine Police Emerald Society helps kick off the start of the annual St. Ptrick’s Day parade Sunday on Commercial Street in Portland.

Caroline O’Brien, 7, of Portland, braces against the freezing weather Sunday during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street. O’Brien, who marches each year with her father Robert, said it was the coldest parade she can remember.

Fergus, an Irish wolfhound, is led alongside Portland’s Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band on Sunday during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street.

Brendan Amann, of Scarborough, performs alongside other members of Gorham-based Stillson School of Irish Dance on Sunday during Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street. 

Anna Dube and Zoe Mattingly perform alongside other members of Gorham-based Stillson School of Irish Dance on Sunday during Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Commercial Street.