The North Country was painted green this weekend, as hundreds of people in Watertown participated in the annual North Country Irish Festival. YNN's Carmella Mataloni gives us a look at some of the fun celebrated in the North Country for St. Paddy's weekend.

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WATERTOWN, N.Y. -- Bagpipers, Irish step dancers, and lots of green are what we found all over Watertown for the North Country Goes Green Irish Festival.

"It gets everyone out when winter is really almost over and you see people you haven't seen since last year at St. Patrick's Day weekend," said Patti Shaughnessy, Irish Festival Planner.

It's the grand finale that draws hundreds to Washington Street, the annual parade.

"It's a community thing. This is something where you put on some green and put on a smile and you're going to have a great time," said Peter Conklin, Watertown Resident.

There are more added participants this year making it the most successful parade. Even though it marks the end of the of the weekend festivities, as you can see with the amount of people behind me, it's something they all look forward to.

"It's one of our bigger ones. This is what we are concentrating on, getting our parade to even be bigger," said Rich Gaffney, Co-Chairman of Irish Festival.

While bands, princesses and fire trucks go by, three-year-old Kailyn Parker, watches for something else.

"My favorite part is catching the candy and looking at all the people around us," said three-year-old, Kailyn Parker.

The festival also raises money for many local charities throughout Northern New York, including Project Children that brings youngsters from Ireland to the United States during the summer.