PADDY’S PARADE: Shamrocking It Downtown

The near freezing temperatures didn’t stop hundreds of people from attending the annual Saint Patrick’s Day parade through downtown Des Moines.

Last year’s parade in 80 degree temperatures was a distant memory for parade goers.

The weather isn’t the only thing that has changed from this year to last.

This year parade officials enforced different rules.

The biggest change along the route was not throwing out candy. Instead candy was handed to parade watchers. Organizers also used snow fences to keep kids from running into the street to grab candy.

The parade also saw a boost in law enforcement to make sure the route would be as safe as possible.