NATCHEZ — Armed with his snake-banishing shillelagh, St. Patrick XXII led a green army of revelers marching in an Irish invasion of downtown for Saturday’s annual Krewe of Killarney St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Parade marchers tossed beads, candy and other parade gold and donned emerald-colored shamrocks, wigs, hats, flashing glasses and even walked green-colored dogs in the annual event.

Natchez resident Shermeeka Artis and her children, Briana, Jasmine and Josh, made it back from a trip to New Orleans just in time for the parade.

“We were in New Orleans for a parade there, and we wanted to make sure we made it back for our very own parade,” she said. “It’s fun every year for us.”

Briana and Jasmine both said they enjoyed seeing the bagpipers and drummers in the parade, and Josh said his favorite part is grabbing for as many green beads as he can.

“And I like the drums, hearing the drums is fun,” he said.

The Irish holiday fun not only brought locals to Main Street, but a few visitors made a trip to Natchez for the festivities.

WBLT-TV broadcaster Walt Grayson was invited to march in the parade by local judge Charlie Vess to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which also happens to be Grayson’s birthday.

“I thought why not…a parade just for me,” Grayson joked.

Grayson filmed the parade as he marched to be featured on his “Look Around Mississippi” program. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is just another part of Natchez’s charm, Grayson said.

“There’s always something going on here, and this proves it,” he said. “We’re always looking for an excuse to come to Natchez, and this is a good one.”

East Baton Rouge resident Sandra Walsworth was visiting her parents in Franklin County when they decided to make the trip to Natchez for the parade. Walsworth and her daughter, Madelyn, 12, and niece, Carsyn Bolin, 8, all said they enjoyed spending St. Patrick’s Day in Natchez and hoped to maybe come back next year.

“It’s just so nice here, the weather is so lovely, it’s a beautiful day,” she said. “Seeing all the green and people out for St. Patrick’s Day has been a lot of fun.”

The parade came to an end as the sound of drums and bagpipes on the bluff filled the air, and St. Patrick XXII Pat McDonough took his spot on the gazebo with the Irish flag and flags of past St. Patricks waving as the sun set over the Mississippi River.

McDonough performed the traditional banishing of the snakes, throwing them over the bluff and into the river.

Natchez resident Ginger Cowart marched in the parade as one of the Babes of Blarney donning an emerald-colored shamrock dress, boa, green and white socks and a crown. Cowart said she believes it is important to gather together in a fun, family-friendly event to celebrate Irish heritage and traditions.

“It’s fun to get all decked out and see all the people who come out to support the parade,” she said. “I think the more fun, family-oriented events we have here, the better and better Natchez will get.”

The Krewe of Killarney raises funds each year to help Pleasant Acre Day School and Holy Family School, as well as to award scholarships to graduating seniors from the five area high schools.

Whether one is Irish does not really matter, Cowart said, when it comes to the Krewe of Killarney’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. She said the day is fun for all.

“And I think there’s a little bit of Irish in everyone,” Cowart said.