Even the weather was Irish for Spokane’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade

Rain and blustery weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Irish, even if they were only Irish for a day.

The crowds that gathered for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade through downtown Spokane on Saturday were thinner than normal, allowing easy access to prime viewing spots along the parade route.

Amanda Albert came prepared and staked out a dry spot underneath an overhang in front of U.S. Bank on Riverside Avenue.

“We’ve got blankets, umbrellas, coats,” she said. “We’re good to go.”

Last year she and her family and friends stayed home because of the rain, but the rain stopped right before the parade began. This year she was determined not to miss the annual event she’s been to more than a dozen times, no matter what the weather had in store.

Zara Amos sat with three generations of her family along the parade route, all decked out with craft-shop finds that included giant green glasses, a green boa and a green crown.

“We have sat out here in the pouring rain,” she said. “It’s fun. Everybody’s here. We’re not Irish, but everybody gets in the spirit.”

The parade had a slightly different route this year, but Amos said she didn’t really notice. The family usually tries a different spot every year, she said.

“It’s all been good no matter where we sat,” she said.

The parade has been held every year since 1979 by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. It has a little something for everyone: animals, marching bands, bagpipes and lots of candy. This year the Lilac Festival royalty float was followed by a large group of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders supporters who waved signs and chanted, “Feel the Bern!”

A convoy of Avista Utilities trucks got a few cheers, probably from people who remembered how happy they were to see the company’s line workers after last November’s windstorm.

Mayor David Condon continued his annual tradition of wearing a kilt and handing out handfuls of candy to kids along the route.