East Dundee goes green for the day ... Irish green that is.

It was a spin on the term "go green" in East Dundee on Saturday as hundreds of residents lined downtown streets for the village's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Sponsored by Rosie O'Hare's and East Dundee, the parade made its way along River Street to Barrington Avenue ending in front of the Water Street bar.

This year's event marked the third year that the village has organized a separate event from neighboring West Dundee.

A leprechaun, Irish dancers and bagpipers joined a procession of about 40 different entrants, including a dog dyed green for the occasion, the Navy Band Great Lakes, the Midlothian Pipe Band and the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township.

Candidates in the upcoming consolidated elections also marched along the parade route.

The gray weather that greeted participants a year ago gave way to blue skies and temperatures in the mid-40s, allowing many parade-watchers to trade-in Aran sweaters for sweatshirts.

"Everyone has spring fever from being inside all winter, so it is nice to see everyone out and about," said Ron Poore of Carpentersville, who attended the event with his wife, their two children and other relatives. "We like to get out and enjoy it."

About 400 spectators stood along the route.

Scott McTague hosted a party for friends and family who enjoyed the parade from a couch on the McTague's front lawn along Barrington Avenue.

"My wife's brother wants the couch and he is coming to pick it up this week," McTague said. "I thought, 'Why not put it to good use for the parade?'"