Gallery: It's Easy Being Green at the Plainfield Irish Parade

The chill in the air didn't keep the crowds away from downtown Plainfield on Sunday, as spectators lined the streets to watch the 11th annual Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade.

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Participants in this year's festivities included the Stockyard Kilty Band, Keigher Academy of Irish Dance, Joliet Firefighters Pipes and Drums and numerous Plainfield businesses. The event capped off with a pub crawl for adults, while kids enjoyed inflatables, face painting and more in the family area at DesPlaines and Lockport streets.

The parade coincided with the Naperville Knights of Columbus Holy Spirit Council's St. Baldrick's fundraiser, which raised more than $34,000 (and counting) to fight children's cancers.

Held at the former Plainfield Fire Protection District headquarters on DesPlaines Street, this year's fundraiser even included several brave ladies who were willing to get their heads shaved in solidarity with kids fighting cancer.

Click on the video to see Downers Grove firefighter Jackie Johnson lose her locks for a good cause. Johnson said she was inspired by a coworker's daughter, who had her head shaved for St. Baldrick's last year.

"I thought, 'Well, it's only hair,'" Johnson said.

Ira Jones Middle School students Stephanie Dauber and Bridget Voss, both 13, also dared to go bald, raising more than $800 as team "Bald is Beautiful."

Click through Patch's videos and photo gallery to see more of the Irish-themed fun, and click "Upload photos and videos" to add your own pictures.

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