This article is from page 30 of the 2007-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
PREPARATIONS are well underway in Gort for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade which looks likely to be the biggest most exciting in years. Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the parade with thou- sands more to watch from the streets and square of the town.
The first thing about our parade is that it actually be on St Patrick’s Day, on the Saturday, where lot of other parades will be held on the Sunday,’ said organiser Padraig Giblin.
‘The parade will start from Church Street after 12 o’clock mass on Sat- urday with the dispersal of the sham- rock by the FCA troop. It will be led this year by the Tulla Pipe band
under the direction of Sean Leamy. They have been taking part in our parade for years and we are always delighted to see them taking part.
“From there the parade will go down the lower side of the square, down Bridge Street, George Street, turn at the old vocational school and return to Church Street via the Upper Square.”
This years parade will see a number groups taking part for the first time while many of the old favorites will also be present.
“Francis Linnane from Gort will lead the vintage cars and tractors at the parade. People love looking at the older pieces of machinery and they always prove very popular,’ contin- ued Padraig.
‘This year we will have a display of trashing which will take place in the square which should be very inter- esting. We are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and especially people from the Bra- Zilian community. We are hoping to have at least one group of Brazilian musicians involved in the parade.
There will be live stationary enter- tainment at the square both before and after the parade. The Bradley- Scanlan School of Dancing will provide a display of step dancing at the square while a group of local set dancer and mummers will be led by Marian Cahill-Collins.
There will also be a craft market and food fair to keep the revelers sus- tained throughout the celebration.
One person from each group taking part in the parade will also be grant- ed access to the viewing stand where they will be able to view the parade from the best possible vantage point.
For more information or to confirm your participation contact secretary Trish Buckley at 091 632754.