How to take part in Palatine's St. Patrick's Day festivities

Organizers of the 6th annual Paint the Town Green St. Patrick's Day celebration in Palatine are seeking sponsors as well as entrants for the Saturday, March 19 parade and Irish market, which will be held in the village's downtown.

Applications for entry in the parade and Irish market are being accepted through Jan. 31 and are available at www.stpatspalatine.com. A limited amount of openings are available for the Irish market on a first-come, first-served basis.

"This is one of the very few St. Patrick's Day parades and celebrations in the Chicago area and I'm excited to see it return to Palatine for its sixth year," said event coordinator Liz Noe of ElizEvents. "As last year, this year's parade will be two blocks longer than in the past and will go right past the Irish market. This year's celebration also serves as a kick-off event for the 150-year anniversary of the Village of Palatine."

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available for interested area businesses. Sponsorships start at $25 and will be accepted through Feb. 12. Details are available at www.stpatspalatine.com. Current sponsors include Durty Nellie's and the Daily Herald Media Group.

Festivities will begin with an Irish Market under a tent outside Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St. in downtown Palatine, and run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m.