Thousands of Long Islanders came to take part in the 19th Annual St. Patrick?s Day parade in Bayport-Blue Point Sunday afternoon.

Green hair, Aran sweaters, shamrock-stickered cheeks and bagpipers along Montauk Highway set the mood for what onlookers called a terrific St. Patrick?s Day parade. Many have made the parade an annual tradition.

?We celebrate it ... everybody comes out and gets along,? said one parade spectator. ?It's so nice. I enjoy it.?

More than 25,000 people and 70 different groups take part in the Bayport-Blue Point parade ever year. Many have plans to head into New York City for the parade down Fifth Avenue on Tuesday, March 17.