SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Saint Patrick's Day is officially here. And, hundreds of people gathered in Tipperary Hill to ring in the holiday at midnight for the annual Painting of the Shamrock.

Every year in Syracuse, the Irish celebration starts when a giant shamrock is painted on the street underneath the famous up-side down traffic light at the intersection of Tompkins Street and Milton Avenue.

With bag-pipes playing and the crowd wearing all shades of green, this year was no different.

Steve Graf said, “Tipp Hill is just it's own special neighborhood, I mean we got the light and everything. That's a big one and it's just a real tight-knit community. You heard it all. It's the Irish heritage in our blood."

Celebrations continue throughout the day today with the Syracuse Saint Patrick's Parade kicking off at noon.