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

Boston's St. Patrick's Day parade marched through Southie Sunday with no major issues or incidents, compared to a year ago.Thousands of people lined the parade route as the annual procession started earlier than usual this year,

The annual celebration’s start time was moved to 11:30 a.m., in a bid to curb excessive rowdiness and overcrowding.