Main Street ran green Friday as a crowd of people dressed in Irish garb for the 10th annual Natchez St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This year’s St. Patrick, Col. Jack Pitchford, upheld tradition by ceremoniously ridding Natchez of all its snakes.

&uot;And now without further adieu, I destroy the serpentine element in this community,&uot; he said.

The parade participants marched from St. Mary Basilica and held their closing ceremony at the gazebo on the grounds of Rosalie.

&uot;St. Patrick’s Day is always a fun day here in Natchez,&uot; said Jean Williams Farrar, President of the Krewe of Killarney.

Each year the Krewe selects a different person to represent St. Patrick for the parade.

Pitchford, a former POW in Vietnam, told the crowd he was truly humbled and practically brought to tears to be this year’s pick.

&uot;I’m so thankful to the people of Natchez,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s really been a wonderful experience to be in this parade.&uot;

In addition to the parade, Krewe members spent all of Friday celebrating St. Patrick’s Day together, including a noon Mass at St. Mary Basilica.

&uot;It’s just been a wonderful day,&uot; Farrar said. (And &uot;Pitchford) considers it quite an honor&uot; to be the St. Patrick.

Pitchford led the parade along with several bagpipe players and the VFW color guard.

Bob Apple and his son Joe were in town for the Natchez Pilgrimage and came out to watch to parade.

&uot;I’m glad to see everybody with their green on today,&uot; Bob Apple said.

In addition to the annual festivities, the Krewe of Killarney also raises money to benefit children in the community. This year the Krewe will make donations to Holy Family Catholic School and Pleasant Acre Day School, Farrar said.