Heavy rains didn't dampen the patriotic spirit as thousands of spectators lined Hope and High streets for the 229th annual Bristol 4th of July Parade Friday.

Despite a forecast that could have threatened to end the 229-year run of consecutive parades, the procession stepped off as scheduled at 10:30 a.m., despite the rain that started just before 9:30, right in the middle of Patriotic Exercises outside Colt Memorial School. Dozens of floats, bands, police and fire color yards, dignitaries and revolutionaries firing muskets and cannons made their down Hope and High streets. Several bands stopped before the review stand on High Street to play for Chief Marshal David Barboza and other dignitaries, including Carolina Crown, the Cadets and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, which also competed in the annual music review Thursday night.

Mt. Hope High School led a series of bands from across the country, including Foley High School in Minnesota, the Yankee Volunteers from Seekonk, Mass., the Kentish Guard from East Greenwich, the Saints Brigande from Port Chester, NY, the Long Island Sunrisers, and the Connecticut Hurricanes, to name a few.

The military was well represented with the Newport Navy Color Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Navy Northeast Marching Band, the 88th Army Marching Band and the R.I. National Guard, as well as veterans groups and local militias.

With such a long procession, parade spectators are sure to have missed some of the show. Take a look at this gallery of parade pics to see what you missed or to relive the soggy procession.