Kevin Conley of Westbrook, left, and Ann Murphy of Portland carry flags as they lead a procession through Portland to raise the Irish flag at Harbor View Memorial Park.

Peter Foley of Scarborough flashes his Irish smile as he joins a procession through Portland to raise the Irish flag at Harbor View Memorial Park.

Gerry Conley Sr. of Portland raises the Irish flag at Harbor View Memorial Park in Portland during a St. Patrick's Day ceremony on Thursday.

Mayor Ethan Strimling, left, and Gerry Conley Sr. of Portland pause for a moment of silence in remembrance of Irish residents who have died, during a procession to Harbor View Memorial Park to raise the Irish flag to mark St. Patrick's Day on Thursday. Conley is a former mayor of Portland.

John Daggett of Portland plays the bagpipes on the steps of the Maine Irish Heritage Center on St. Patrick's Day morning.

Matt Hamlin of Westbrook, left, and Rick Dorr of Portland celebrate with fellow St. Patrick's Day revelers at Brian Boru in Portland on Thursday.

Dan Jacek of Scarborough listens to traditional Irish music from the band Rum Riot at Brian Boru early on Thursday morning.