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Annual painting of the green line kicks of St. Patrick's Day in Utica

By KATRINA SMITH

Story Created: Mar 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2012 at 1:01 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A little rain did not deter Utica's St. Patrick's Day Parade organizers from the annual tradition of painting the green line along the parade path down Genesee Street Friday morning.

The green line was painted around 11 a.m. Friday and marks the official kickoff of the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

Several officials gathered to help with the painting tradition, and organizers say there's nothing quite like St. Patrick's Day in the City of Utica.

"I think it's very unique to Utica," said Parade Director Judy Weeks. "I talk to people from other big cities and they don't do half the stuff we do. We have a wonderful community that participates and that makes half of it."

The parade starts Saturday morning, March 17 at 10 a.m. at Oneida Square. Judging of the floats takes place in front of the Stanley Center for the Arts.

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