By: Jeff Meade

Tommy Moffit accepts an award from the parade committee.

No, it's not just the words to an Emerson, Lake and Palmer tune.

When it comes to the Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Parade, it's the actual fact. Because, even though the parade was weeks ago (and it was colder then, too), the people who run the parade are always looking for a reason to keep the St. Patrick's high going.

That, they did in their recent awards bash at Finnigan's Wake.

Several local groups had plenty to celebrate.

We have the pics. (Not of every winning group, I'm afraid, but we done our best.)

Check 'em out.

• View the photo essay.
• View as slideshow.