Committee aims to increase float numbers at parade

PREPARATIONS for the annual Killaloe Ballina St Patrick’s Day parade are well underway and having paraded out 27 floats in last year’s celebration, the community of South-East Clare are hoping to match, if not better, this performance for 2013.

This year’s parade sees Ballina and Killaloe celebrate their rich cultural heritage with a Brian Boru themed weekend and the festivities have been extended over a second day this year, with a concert planned in Ballina on Saturday, March 16.

The parade will follow its traditional route and leave at 2pm from Riverside pool in Ballina, going over the bridge into Killaloe. The floats will parade up the Main Street and will conclude at a viewing stand, which will be at the top of the street.

While the Brian Boru Festival is due to take place in 2014, this year’s parade will begin the celebration of the local culture.

Paddy Collins of the parade organising committee said the hope this year is “to get as many businesses out and involved. We had 27 floats last year and we’re hoping to have something similar, if not better, this year”.
He said they are seeking volunteers to get involved as stewards and anyone who is interested in helping out can contact the organising committee.

There will be live music on the day at the viewing stand ahead of the parade and while the public await the results for the best float. This year, adult members of Comhaltas will provide the music.

A judging panel will be remaining incognito throughout the parade, assessing each and every float from different vantage points. The results will then be collated by the judges.

Paddy said the judges will be looking at the amount of work put into the floats and then how the theme was delivered upon, as well as the effort and creativity that went into putting that across.

There will also be a best-dressed window competition on the day, which is not only open to local retailers and businesses but local householders are also encouraged to take part.

On March 16, the Tipperary Fleadh Committee have organised a concert at the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina, and this is a warm-up to the Tipperary County Fleadh being held in Ballina in May.

For more details about how to get involved as a steward or for more information, contact Paddy Collins on 087 2615406 or John Grimes.