The sun finally came out Saturday right as the annual Fourth of July parade got underway, delighting the crowds lining Edgartown streets and bringing relief to parade organizers, who had been carefully watching rainy weather forecasts.

With parade grand marshal Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. and longtime parade leader Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr. leading the way, the parade set off prompty at 5 p.m. with plenty of patriotic pomp. As always, the parade was a wide-ranging glimpse of Islanders and Island organizations. Veterans, police and fire officials, and Island selectmen led the way, joined by marchers of all ages (and species, with several alpacas and dogs participating in the action). Grace Episcopal Church had a large lobster roll float, dancers from The Yard performed to delighted crowds, and bands and bagpipes were out in abundance. On the sidelines, children kept their arms outstretched and their eyes peeled for candy tossed from floats.

Martha's Vineyard Youth Soccer players, clad in their purple and black jerseys, were joined on their float by "Giant Sword Guy" Michael Craughwell,  the Scottish Society played their bagpipes, and the Rotary Club won a special prize for their float, which featured a replica train from the Cottage City to Katama railroad.