Palatine to 'Paint the Town Green' with parade, festivities March 16

Palatine will "Paint the Town Green" on Saturday, March 16, with the community's ninth annual St. Patrick's Day celebration which includes a parade and festivities in businesses throughout the village.

"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, a scavenger hunt 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., will feature nearly 50 entries including Grand Marshals Lucky McClover and Katie M'Lady. Irish music will be provided by the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band. The Trinity Irish Dancers, the Lucky Little Leprechauns of Dorset Avenue, the Palatine Beer Club and families and numerous other Irish-themed floats will also add to the entertainment.

"He won't give you his pot of gold, but keep an eye out for Lucky McClover and his sweetheart Katie M'Lady," said Noe. "They'll be spreading Irish cheer around town after the parade."

The parade will collect donations for Journeys The Road Home, an organization serving the homeless and near-homeless in the North and Northwest suburbs. During the parade, marchers with shopping carts will collect food, clothing and disposable paper products for the organization. The parade begins at the corner of Wood and Oak streets in downtown Palatine and continues west on Wood to Smith and north to Colfax.

Donations can also be made from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the American Legion Post 690, 122 W. Palatine Road, while you are registering for the scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt will accept last-minute registrations; entrants will be able to pick up their clues, download the app and immediately start the hunt. During registration, Lady Jo's Lids will be selling Irish and traditional jewelry as well as trinkets and Journeys will collect donations.

"Entertainment is being planned at a number of local businesses, bars and restaurants throughout the day," said Noe. "Some of the establishments participating are Emmett's Ale House and TJ O'Brien's Bar & Grill. A full schedule of events is available on our website at www. stpatspalatine.com.

• Editor's note: Daily Herald Media Group is a sponsor of Palatine's "Paint the Town Green" event.