James McClay of Maine Irish Heritage Center, dressed as Saint Patrick, greets children during a St. Patrick’s Day parade along Commercial Street. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

Commercial Street was a sea of green on Sunday afternoon for Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

The procession, organized by the Irish American Club of Maine, kicked off from the Portland Fish Pier at noon and made its way down Commercial Street.

This year’s parade featured two pipe bands, police and fire departments, military marchers and a fleet of Irish dancers.

The Irish American Club of Maine has been sponsoring St. Patrick’s Day parades in Portland for about 15 years, said club member Mike Freethy. The club expected a crowd of between 2,000 and 3,000 people and more groups marched than ever before.

“I think for the spectators, it’s important to realize that Irish heritage is wide, there’s a wide spectrum of what we do and what we enjoy,” Freethy said. “Really, it’s about having fun, and having a good time.”

There were many Irish-focused local organizations represented, including the Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band, Stillson School of Irish Dance and recreational hurling and Gaelic football teams from the Portland Gaelic Athletic Association.

Shaun Slattery, of Scarborough, marched with the group Sunday. He said that his Irish heritage inspired him to get involved with both hurling and Gaelic football.

“(We’re) celebrating our heritage,” said Slattery, who was decked out in a head-to-toe white suit with shamrocks on it.

Woodrow Oakes, 3, chuckles after slipping his hat over the head of Ben Golden, 10, before the start of a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Portland. The boys are students at St. Brigid School and were participating in the parade. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

“It’s a wonderful thing, coming from Ireland,” Slattery said. “It’s great to see everybody coming out, it brings joy to people.”

The Portland Sea Dogs’ mascot Slugger made an appearance in his leprechaun suit, and so did “Saint Patrick” himself, greeting fans and taking photos with kids after the parade.

Though the cutest mascots were perhaps the dozen Irish wolfhounds who marched in the parade with the Irish Wolfhound Association of New England.

Samy and John Sturteviant, of Litchfield, joined the parade with the Wolfhound Association and their dog, Loki. Loki, sporting a green vest, was excited for the attention, they said.

“He does really well, he likes being patted by people,” Samy Sturteviant said. “Especially the kids.”

The St. Patrick’s Day festivities continued at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, which was serving food and beer after the parade. Guests could take a tour of the center, learn about their Irish ancestry and watch a performance by the Stillson School of Irish Dance.

The Stillson dancers — who also closed out the parade procession — had the crowd clapping along to an array of dances.

Dotty Jones of Portland carries the flag of Ireland’s County Down during a St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

Director Carlene Stillson said that St. Patrick’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for her students, with about 20 shows over a two-week period. But Stillson School students compete and perform year-round, often going into the community to show off their talents.

“We go into homeless homes, assisted living (homes), we dance at weddings, they dance at their schools,” Stillson said.

Stillson said Irish dance teaches kids resilience, responsibility and the importance of moving their bodies. It’s important to preserve the traditional Irish dancing that was taught to her as a young girl, she said.

“Music really is a common language,” Stillson said.

Freethy, of the Irish American Club of Maine, said anyone can get involved with Irish events in Portland, and not just during St. Patrick’s Day. The club has regular ceilis — or gatherings — with Irish dancing and music at local pubs, and they’re planning a trip to Ireland this fall.