Lots of green at Palatine parade

Seated on the parkway wearing a decorative St. Patrick's Day hat and shamrock-shaped glasses, Gary Banser, 8, of Palatine was ready to watch his sister march by with the Trinity Irish Dancers in the fourth annual Palatine St. Patrick's Day Parade Saturday.

Bundled in a navy blue winter coat on the chilly morning, Banser was also anticipating getting a bagful of candy by the parade's end.

"He's more excited about the candy than anything else," said his dad, Bryan, wearing a green Chicago Blackhawks sweater under his coat.

Fifty-one units registered to march in parade, which headed west on Wood Street from Oak Street to downtown Palatine. Participants included a variety of local businesses, charitable organizations, youth groups and political candidates running in the upcoming primary Tuesday.

Although the temperature of 37 degrees at the start time was no match for the 82-degree temperature recorded two years ago, parade organizer Liz Noe said the weather was perfect.

"The sun came out - this is beautiful," Noe said."It's a little chilly this morning, but I think we're going to have a great parade."