Winter's white gave through to St. Patrick's green today as thousands lined the streets of Pittsburgh for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade.

The event, which lays claim to being one of the nation's largest, stretched from the Strip District, down Grant Street and along the Boulevard of the Allies, with swells of bagpipe, the sound of drum and the cheers of Irish and would-be Irish from the sidewalks.

This year's event falls on a statewide election year and such legendary Irish names as Corbett, Lamb, Shields and -- if only for today -- Onorato and Wagner were heard and their faces seen as they walked or rode the route.

Also walking, with a bit more pointed message, were 75 members and family from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1, the union that represents the city's police force.

They were decked out in green and white T-shirts reading "3599" on the front and, on the back, "We Support Our Three Brothers."

The shirts, according to union officials, were a message in solidarity with three city officers currently under scrutiny over the arrest and beating of Pittsburgh CAPA student Jordan Miles. The student has said he was attacked without reason as he walked through his neighborhood in Homewood on Jan. 11.

Police initially charged him with criminal trespass and assault in the case. A district justice later dismissed the charges.

Police officers wearing the shirts declined any comment as did FOP President Dan O'Hara. The numbers on the shirts refer to the call number used by the officers, who were assigned to what police call a "99" car at the Zone 5 station in East Liberty.

By tonight, Pittsburgh police had arrested six St. Patrick's Day revelers around the city, police spokeswoman Diane Richard reported.

Three people arrested at Station Square on the South Side were charged with aggravated assault, defiant trespass and resisting arrest. Another person was arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication in the North Side Commons.

Two others were arrested at the parade Downtown and charged with giving false identification to liquor enforcement officers, and open container, underage drinking and public intoxication offenses.

Winners of the various parade entries were:

Best Overall Entry, Bell School of Dance

Best School Band from Pittsburgh, Taylor Alderdice High School

Best Catholic High School Band, Seton-La Salle High School

Best Overall New Entry, Catholic Sisters of Western Pennsylvania

Best Overall Irish Entry, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 32

Best Marching Irish Women, LAOH Div. 23

Best Marching Irish Men, AOH Div. 32

Best Marching Unit, Daughter's of Erin Court Number 9

Best Commercial Float, Visionworks Eye Care Center

Best Non-Commercial Float, AOH Jr. Div. 32.

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