Ohio's oldest St. Pat's parade to step off in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio’s oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade is also reunion time for one large, extended family.

For 35 years, Anne and Thomas Traut have been booking hotel rooms overlooking the Cleveland parade to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones. The couple from the Cleveland suburb of Lorain have three adjoining rooms reserved this year to gather with some 50 children, grandchildren, siblings and cousins.

Cleveland’s parade dates back to 1867. About 10,000 marchers in 125 units will make their way around downtown beginning just after 1 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, organizers in Columbus say its St. Patrick’s Day parade, starting at 11:45 a.m, will feature a record 121 groups including Irish clubs, police and fire departments and pipe and drum bands.