Monday 28 January 2013

Plans are Full Steam ahead for St Patrick's Day in Enniskillen


It's hard to believe that in just 6 weeks St Patrick's Weekend will be upon us and hopefully spring will have finally sprung. During these wet and wintry nights the committee of Project St Patrick have been meeting regularly, hatching plans to give you an even greater day out on Sunday 17th March. Indeed the hard working committee have been nominated for 2 UK and Ireland EPIC awards and will find out this week if they have won. Regardless, it was great to be recognised for "their creativity, innovation and engagement with the wider community."

 

 

St Patrick at Enniskillen Castle

Given St Patrick's association with driving the snakes out of Ireland and that this is the Chinese Year of the Snake; the committee has decided on Snakes as the theme and ask that all participants interpret /incorporate this into their floats or display on the day. They are also attempting a Guinness World Record by having the world's largest snake on parade through the town. To achieve this the committee are working with Fermanagh Scout Groups and partnerships to come up with sections of the snake by decorating and attaching a 2 x 1.5 metre length of fabric (think old double duvet covers) to a hula hoop, which on the day will be joined together to form a snake like procession. They are hoping that many other individuals, groups, schools and associations will come forward to participate in this and more information can be found on our facebook page, details below or contact Kiera McCluskey on 07725 945592. Everyone taking part in the World Record Attempt will receive a certificate if successful.

On that creative note the committee have also been lucky to secure PEACE III funding courtesy of Fermanagh District Council for Community Groups to access Professional Artist's tuition and guidance over several cross-community arts workshops that will culminate in participation of the parade. Please contact Bryony on 07710672502 to see if places are still available.

As always the committee rely on local businesses to lend their support and recognise the harsh economic climate, however part of their goal is to retain and bring new people into the county town by providing a great day out. The committee will be writing to registered businesses asking if they wish to place an advert in the parade leaflet (over 30,000 will be produced) in return for a donation of £50 which must be submitted before the 17th February in order to secure a spot. Please contact the committee's Chairperson, Feargal Shannon on 07792 410028 if you do not receive a letter or perhaps you have an idea how your business could add value to the day by getting involved in the free entertainment at the Broadmeadow.

Building on the success of last year the free activities will start at 1.30pm to allow parading scouts to get in on the action and as well as face-painting, balloon modelling, inflatable fun and other delights to tempt the sweet toothed amongst you, they have lots planned in the water. Returning will be the popular wakeboarding leprechauns, the RNLI as well as some new Hovercraft, Jet Skiing and Jet Pack action on display as well as a few 'hush-hush' surprises up our soggy sleeves. There will of course be lots of traditional music and dancing and also the surprise of how St Patrick will arrive this year!

The parade proper starts at 3.30pm with traditional and not so traditional bands, floats, steam trains and all those things you've asked the committee to bring back this year.

The goal is to make 2013 bigger and better and to do Fermanagh proud so we hope you can think of ways of getting involved, the organising committee would love to hear from you.

And Finally...the committee are concentrating on one major fundraising event this year and so have turned their efforts to a mammoth pub quiz and hope you'll show your support. Please bring yourself or a team along to the Crowe's Nest at 8.30pm on Thursday 21st February, as always all proceeds go directly to the parade itself.

Please keep an eye on the Parade's facebook page for exciting developments: facebook.com/ProjectStPatrick

No comments:

Post a Comment