Light rain began to fall shortly before the 1 p.m. start of the annual Fourth of July parade across Sydenstricker Road in Springfield.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) said unlike the more robust City of Fairfax parade earlier in the day, he was expecting a few more constituents in the parade itself than along the route.

“It’s a sign of a strong community,” he said.

As the Boy and Girl Scouts, swim team members and church groups paraded across Sydenstricker Road, spectators lined up along the sides of the streets.

Rain began to fall harder, but the parade rolled on, continuing from Hunt Valley Elementary School to Orange Hunt Elementary School. Soggy yet spirited, everyone enjoyed some ice cream and a little shelter at the conclusion of the route.