Despite gray skies, Main Street was awash in green Friday as Hough Elementary School students and staff marched down the road for the 26th annual Paddy Hough Parade.
Even the Doppler radar seemed to celebrate, as rain drizzled down on spectators and marchers wearing green hats, scarves, tutus and beaded necklaces.
Those marching in the parade, which began in front of the school and made its way through Uptown Village and back, waved and flung candy at the umbrella-bearing crowd that lined the sidewalk.
The parade celebrates Patrick “Paddy” Hough, the Irish immigrant and educator for whom the school and neighborhood is named. Hough, who immigrated to Canada in 1870 then to Vancouver in 1883, was a teacher and associate superintendent in the city. His birthday also happened to be St. Patrick’s Day.
Lincoln Sprague, 5, began to cheer and leap into the air when he saw the Vancouver police car signifying the beginning of the parade mosey down Main Street.
“Yay, yay, yay!” Lincoln shouted, jumping up and down with his cousin, 5-year-old Zacai Sloan. The pair also stuck out their tongues to catch falling raindrops.
Zacai’s mom, Tiffany Sloan, said the family was waiting to see Lincoln’s sister, 7-year-old Sidnee, and Zacai’s siblings, 7-year-old Zion and 9-year-old Zaiah, march in the annual parade. They’ve been attending the parade for three years, rain or shine.
“This is the best,” Sloan said from underneath her hood. “We look forward to it every year.”
“I love everything!” Zacai cheered as he gathered candy.
The Lindsley family — Thomas, Janet, and their 13-month-old son, Quinn, dressed like a little lamb — took shelter under a large umbrella as they watched groups of marching students pass. The theme this year was “Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Taken,” meaning groups of children carried signs and wore costumes promoting inclusivity and embracing diversity.
The family’s older son, 8-year-old Ronan, marched in the parade.
“It’s so community focused,” Janet Lindsley said.
Emily Austin and Tommy Hatcher, business partners at Equity Northwest Properties, watched from the sidewalk outside their business with Austin’s son, 5-year-old Quinn.
When asked what his favorite part of the parade was, Quinn stared in contemplation at a Milky Way he’d collected from those throwing candy at the parade.
The answer was obvious, but eventually, he said, “getting the candy.”
Austin’s 7-year-old son Connor was also in the parade.
“I love supporting the community,” she said.
Hatcher bought a vintage green Chevrolet he hopes to drive in the parade in later years. He said it’s important as a local business to support community events like the parade.
“These are the kids who live in our neighborhood,” he said.
