KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It was a sea of green as thousands lined Westport late Monday morning for the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day parade.

“It’s a beautiful day and you know we’re just out here just enjoying this fun and sun,” said one parade-goer.

“We’re not Irish, sort of, maybe at least for today,” said her friend.

Irish or not, crowds packed the streets, decked out in green eager to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

“If you don’t have green on you can’t come here, that’s against the rules,” said the parade-goer.

There were lines of floats, plenty dancing and music and the sound of bagpipes echoed through the air.

For some, the parade meant more than celebrating the rich Irish heritage, they said it showcases community.

“It brings everybody together,” said one woman.

“Just experience Kansas City, come down here and take in the culture,” said a dad with his two daughters.

Although the festive holiday landed on a Monday, many kids were on spring break and didn’t want to miss it.

“This is my first time coming and I wanted to see what it was like,” said one girl.

“I used to be on two different drill teams, and I want to see how they’re doing since I’ve left,” said her friend.

Beyond the fun, the parade is a long-standing tradition for many families.

“I have so much pride in the Irish community,” said Laura Ismert, a parade board member.

For Ismert it’s also a full-circle moment.

“As a little girl growing up and building the actual floats in our parent’s driveway to running the VIP tent and be on the board, it’s just been awesome,” she said.

Ismert said she brought her daughters in hopes of keeping the Irish culture alive, something her mom passed on to her.

“The pride that she had, instilled it upon us and now I’m doing it to my children, so I feel like it’s just going to continue to pass it down to family.”