Palatine goes green with all-day St. Patrick's Day fest

Palatine will Paint the Town Green on Saturday, with the community's fifth annual St. Patrick's Day celebration including a parade, Irish Market and festivities in various businesses throughout the town.

"We've planned a family-friendly day of activities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day," said event coordinator, Liz Noe of ElizEvents. "We'll have Irish food, drink, entertainment, shopping and we'll be collecting items to support the homeless and near-homeless served by Journeys the Road Home. This is going to be a great day to be Irish or pretend to be Irish."

The parade, which begins at 11 a.m. at Wood and Oak streets, will have 50 entries, including Grand Marshals Lucky McClover and Katie M'Lady. Irish music will be provided by the Midlothian Scottish Bag Pipe Band. The Trinity Irish Dancers, the Lucky Little Leprechauns of Dorset Avenue and The Palatine Paddy Wagons will also add to the entertainment.

The parade and Irish Market will collect donations for Journeys the Road Home, an organization serving the homeless and near-homeless in the North and Northwest suburbs. Marchers with shopping carts will collect food, clothing and disposable paper products.

The Irish Market will be held 8 a.m.-1 p.m. outside of Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., with 14 vendors selling treats, jewelry, Irish trinkets and more. Some of the vendors include Bonker's Gifts, Bead World, Ditka's Arlington Heights and Trinity Irish Dancers.

The Irish Market will also provide musical and dance entertainment, including the Trinity Irish Dancers from 9:45-10:15 a.m. and the Irish music of Dr. Gerry Aylward and Cuchulain from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"Entertainment is being planned at a number of local businesses, bars and restaurants throughout the day," Noe said. Participating are Durty Nellie's, Emmett's Ale House, Tap House Grill and the American Legion, among others.

See the schedule of events at stpatspalatine.com.