Despite the reputation of the Saint Patrick's Day Parade as a festival of inebriate gaiety, Frank presents an almost solemn image of resolution. Like many of Frank's photographs, most of the subjects here seem alone in their thoughts. A little girl carrying an American flag also wears a tam with embroidered badges, identifying her with a quasi-military group. She alone turns from the parade to look at the photographer. Her receptive innocence is surrounded by details that imply the ties of restrictive social affiliation. The softly focused, grainy printing of Frank's photograph creates a dynamic, expressive effect.

from Acton, A History of Photography at the University of Notre Dame: Twentieth Century (Notre Dame, 2019)