Palatine festival will Paint the Town Green

Always fond of its festivals, Palatine is throwing another party into the mix and with it plenty of Kelly green beer.

Durty Nellie's and ElizEvents Inc. will team up to host Paint the Town Green on March 12, 2011, the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day.

Liz Noe of ElizEvents said the event will offer the only St. Patrick's Day parade in the Northwest suburbs and help distinguish Palatine as an entertainment and Irish hub.

The council unanimously approved the idea Monday with the expectation that Noe will provide more details as plans are finalized.

In addition to a parade, which likely will run along Wood Street from Community Park to the Metra station, Noe hopes to have Irish vendors and fare. She envisions activities that would promote local businesses, such as a passport in which attendees get stamped as they stop into various merchants and compete for prizes.

Palatine Councilman Jim Clegg urged Noe to solicit the participation of Palatine-based vendors in order to support the local economy. Noe agreed, but also said she may have to turn to businesses outside the village since the Irish theme is limiting.

The Downtown Merchants Association and Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce have agreed to participate.

Mayor Jim Schwantz asked if any contingency plans would be in place in the event of severe weather, but Noe said most people attend St. Patrick's Day parades knowing snow or sleet are possibilities.