Another Saint Patrick's Parade is in the books for the city of Syracuse. Thousands came out to see the 31st annual event today. Our Sarah Blazonis watched it all unfold in downtown Syracuse.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- When there's dancing in the streets of downtown Syracuse and the sounds of bagpipes fill the air, chances are you'll also find Ruth Dixie among the crowds that gather to watch.

"We've been doing it since our children were small, and now our children are all grown and have mates and they're all coming today," said Dixie, a Cicero resident.

The parade is a longstanding tradition for many, and it comes with a dress code that can be summed up in one word.

"Green, the green belt, this, necklaces, I'll probably pull out the green hair," said parade goer Magi Berry.

More than 100 groups marched in this year's parade. Many come waiting to see yearly favorites.

"Definitely the Irish dancers. They just make me want to get up and dance and like, 'Woo!'" said Ella Lawler of Weedsport.

But even longtime parade goers found new ways to celebrate the day.

"It's a cabbage koozie," said one woman at the parade, who carved out the insides of cabbages to put cans of beer and soda. "They keep your beer nice and cold. Or your Sprite."

"They've got pretzel necklaces, too, for lunch," said her mother.

For others, new traditions began with taking a first step.

"I've lived here for 19 years, it's my first parade, too, his first parade," said Nicole Kohanski of Syracuse. "Now we've got a baby, better start a tradition of bringing her. So it's her first time -- we're all first timers."

The theme of this year's parade may have been centered around Irish hospitality, but some said the community spirit it brings out is something seen every year.

"We're just Irish people around here, whether you are or you aren't. I was raised on Tipperary Hill, so it doesn't matter where you're raised. This is an Irish community when it comes to St. Patrick's Day -- everybody's Irish," said Dixie.