Keith Siemon isn't really a saint; he just plays one in Harrisburg's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

For the past two years, the Elizabethtown resident has donned green robes and portrayed the formidable St. Patrick, who was a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the fifth century.

Siemon said he's only "part Irish" but is still qualified to play the role.

"I have the perfect beard for the part," he said, laughing. "It's natural, too."

At 2 p.m. today Siemon will begin leading the parade on its annual route through downtown Harrisburg. Marchers will first head west on Walnut Street and finish up on North Street.

"I've been playing St. Patrick for about two years, though there's always been a St. Patrick leading the parade — though I can't say for how long," Siemon said. "But I'm glad to have the job. It's fun."

Siemon said his wife, Elaine, who is a member of the St. Patrick's Day parade committee, made his elaborate costume.

"She's very talented," Siemon said. "She made the robes, the medallions, the hat and even the staff I carry.

"Elaine's really the reason I got the job," he said. "The last St. Patrick couldn't lead the parade two years ago, and she was nice enough to volunteer my services as a parade committee member."

And, of course, any good St. Patrick impersonator knows the story of how the Catholic saint drove all the snakes out of Ireland — though modern scholars like to point out Ireland has been bereft of snakes since the last ice age.

According to a Web site on Catholic saints, it's more likely "snakes" referred to the serpent symbolism of the Druids of that time and place, or that it could have referred to beliefs such as Pelagianism, symbolized as "serpents."

In any event, Siemon said, no one has ever suggested he pose with a live snake while he's playing his role as the Catholic saint.

"Thank God, because I hate snakes," the professional bookbinder said. "In fact, the sight of one makes me want to run."

Siemon said he specializes in blessings. "I just bless everyone in the crowd, wave and smile," he said. "My first year, I was blessing people, and I realized I was blessing a group of nuns. They were laughing their heads off," Siemon said. "Maybe I was doing it wrong, but I'm not sure."

And once the parade is over, he's not always quick to change out of costume.

"My first year as St. Patrick was really great; I kept the outfit on and just walked around the streets," he said. "People were so friendly — and they kept offering to buy me beers. I guess that's the benefit of playing a well-known saint."

E-mail Carla DiFonzo at cdifonzo@lnpnews.com.