Raindrops may have been falling on their heads, but Irish eyes were still smiling. And their feet were marching.

The 76th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Huntington stepped off on schedule from just north of the Long Island Railroad train station on New York Avenue heading still further north toward Main Street before turning left and ending at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, appropriately enough. The contingent was led by the color guard who were followed closely by Grand Marshal Michael McCarthy and his aides.

As McCarthy hit Honu on New York Avenue, he was greeted first by his mother who was soon seen in the center of the group of her son and his aides, all decked out in top hats and pinstriped morning coats. Following his mother, McCarthy's wife Kimberley was coaxed out of a small sheltered area by Honu's entrance and she wowed the crowd by giving her hubby a big hug and kiss.

Following McCarthy were the balance of Huntington's Ancient Order of Hibernians, numerous pipe and marching bands, scouts, dogs, colleens and wee colleens, elected officials and more.

Along the route they were greeted by more sparse crowds than usual but no less enthusiastic.

"We never miss this parade," said the mother of Kelsey and Jack Jamison, seen in photos with this article. "It doesn't matter that it's raining."