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The Parade is organised as a free fun family day with a variety of entertainment, with all welcome to come enjoy and celebrate this great Irish national festival, the feastday of St. Patrick the patron saint of Ireland.
Following previous successful Parades, the same format for this year's Parade has been adopted, with 2 bands from Ireland visting again.
As usual, there will be decorative themed floats, bands, majorettes, street entertainers, musicians, dancers, DJ’s, fancy dress and Irish merchandise.
As last year, again we can boast not one, but two Bands from Ireland. Our Drum and Pipe Marching Band will be The St. John's Pipe Band, Tralee, Co. Kerry and The Rahan Ceili Group, Co. Offaly.
We are honoured that they have all chosen Huddersfield as their destination and are delighted to welcome them both back to this years Parade.
As well as playing to the crowds on the Parade, both visiting Irish Bands will perform in the now well established showcase event 'The Parade Eve Concert'. The concert will be held at the Irish Centre on the eve of the Parade, Sat 13th March, 8.30 pm, Tickets £7.00. Last years concert was a fantastic success and is now billed as one of the best nights on the Irish Centre calendar.
There will also be a host of childrens entertainment throughout the Parade, including an array of fancy dress characters, street entertainers, face painting, balloon distribution and various musicians.
In addition following on from last year we will have a pre-event spectacular at 'Market Place' and St. Georges Square, organised by Huddersfield University students, from 12.00pm.
We are hoping that this years Parade will be as successful as ever and are keen to emphasise that this is not just and event for the Irish but for everyone within Huddersfield & Kirklees to come and enjoy equally.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Parade Day!
The Parade will consist of 10 floats, pipe band, Ceili group, Celtic Rock band, samba band, Majorette Troupe, themed characters and various organisations representing the spectrum of the Irish Community within Huddersfield and other associated groups.
The Parade will start and finish at Huddersfield Irish centre, following a 1.5 mile circular route of the town centre.
Map kindly provided by: Virtual Huddersfield.com - aerial views - Copyright
- 12.00 pm Pre-Parade Festival - Market Place & St. Georges Square
- 1.00 pm THE PARADE
- 1.15 pm Presentation of Shamrock to the Mayor, Market Place or St. Georges Square - tbc
- 2.30 - 3.00 pm Post-Parade Intro with DJ Dermo
- 3.00 - 3.30 pm St. John's Pipe Band - (St. Patrick's Centre)
- 3.00 - 4.30 pm The Mouldy Joes (Celtic Rock Band)
- 4.30 - 5.00 pm Cassidy Irish Dancers
- 5.00 - 5.30 pm Special Guests
- 5.30 - 6.30 pm George & Bailey 'The Celtic Duo' (Live Irish Music)
- 6.30 - 7.30 pm DJ Dermo Family/Chidren's Disco
- 7.30 - 8.00 pm INTERVAL - All children to vacate the Irish Centre
- 8.00 - 9.30 pm St. John's Pipe Band & The Rahan Ceili Group
- 9.30 - FINISH 'Amigo's' Irish Disco
Vistors to the Parade can park in the railway car park off Fitzwilliam Street and are asked to not to park on Fitzwillam Street, as to keep it clear for the Parade line-up.
Toilet facilites will be available within the Irish Centre & St. Patrick's Centre prior to the Parade.
St. John's Ambulance shall be in attendace to offer First Aid if required.
Parade bookelts & rossetes will be sold throughout the Parade.
Refreshments will be on sale all day after The Parade, from the dining room in The Irish Centre.
Click here for LIVE PARADE WEBCAM
The Parade will pass Virtual Huddersfield.com's Webcam at approx. 1.45 - 2.00 pm. The camera overllooks St. Georges Square. situated on the top the building above Bramley's Eatate Agents, overllooking the Square towards the Station.
So wherever you are in the world, please join us and watch your friends and relatives proudly partaking in the Parade.
