All Systems Go For The St Patrick's Day Carnival Parade

Sunday 17 March is once again one of the highlights of Down District Council’s annual St Patrick’s Day Celebrations. The parade will start at 2.30pm and the event will be a colourful procession of floats, performers, people in fancy dress, entertainment, and many more attractions for all the family and will be enjoyed by well over 20,000 spectators in Downpatrick. [caption id="attachment_36049" align="alignleft" width="400"] Many groups participated in the St Patrick’s Parade in 2012 making it the second biggest parade in Northern ireland next to Belfast.[/caption] The theme for this year’s Parade is ‘Name that Tune?’ With just over five weeks to go to the big day, Down District Council is reminding interested organisations that the closing date for parade entries is Friday 22 February 2013. Community, voluntary, statutory and commercial organisations can take part in the cross-community parade by: entering an entertaining float, vehicle or attraction in the parade; or walking in the parade in fancy dress, traditional costume or club colours. Non-commercial groups entering the parade will receive an attendance fee of £100 and all parade entrants will receive refreshment vouchers and a certificate of participation. It is expected that there will be the usual friendly and good humoured competition between entrants who will putting their own interpretation on the ‘Name that Tune?’ theme, and who will be vying with one another with a view to picking up one of the five best group entries awards of £200. The parade will assemble on the Ardglass Road from 1pm and will depart at 2.30pm along Edward Street, John Street, Irish Street and Market Street to the finish area in Market Street Car Park (located behind the Grove Shopping Centre).  It is estimated that the parade will arrive in the town centre at approximately 2.50pm. The Best float will be announced from the Festival Stage in St Patrick’s Square at 3.30pm. All road junctions and exits/entrances along the parade route will be closed to traffic from approximately 2pm and will reopen at approximately 4pm. Further information about the parade, including rules and entry forms, can be obtained by contacting, The Community Relations & Development Section, Down District Council, Downshire Civic Centre, Ardglass Road, Downpatrick, BT30 6RA, telephone 028 4461 0853. Down District Council wishes to acknowledge the financial support it is receiving towards the parade from the Community Relations Unit of OFMDFM.]]>