FEATURE: St Patricks Day 2009

THE city turned a shade greener at the weekend, as the UK’s largest St Patrick’s day parade returned to celebrate the annual festival of the world’s most popular Saint in true inimitable Irish style.
The parade, undoubtedly the highlight of the five day St Patrick’s Festival, regularly attracts over 50,000 people to experience the craic in the city’s vibrant Irish quarter around Digbeth.From midday onwards, crowds will enjoy a fantastic array of beautifully decorated floats, colourful marching bands, Irish dancing troupes and horse-drawn wagons, as well as mod scooters, VW campervans and Goldwing motorbikes.

Organisers looked to break the Guinness World Record for the highest number of vintage tractors in one parade, currently set at 150. Other community groups including a dhol band, a samba band and Chinese and Polish groups also joined in, making this a truly eclectic event.

Entertainment on offer after the parade ensured the craic (Irish for fun and enjoyment) kept going in the city’s vibrant Irish Quarter. Those looking for family friendly entertainment headed to the Emerald Village in the Custard Factory, which was carpeted green for the occasion. Kids were entertained by the roaming magicians and clowns, graffiti artists, market stalls, puppets, market stalls and a kids’ disco and karaoke.

New for this year, more contemporary entertainment could be found in Bradford Street, where the St Pat Rocks outdoor stage saw bands including The Destroyers, The Heathers, The Father Teds, The Scarlet Harlots and Neck perform. With everything from Indie pop and Celtic punk to whirling gypsy-inspired folk, this was a concert to remember.

Karen Barry, St Patrick’s Festival Committee spokesperson said, “Over the years the parade has grown into a five day festival showcasing the best Irish entertainment and culture in Birmingham. Venues across the city were buzzing with the spirited sounds and sights of traditional and contemporary Irish culture.”

The parade left from Camp Hill at around 12 noon on Sunday 15th March, making its way down High Street Deritend, past St Martin’s church in the Bullring and back up the High Street, finishing at approximately 1.30pm. The festival ran from 13-17 March, with events and entertainment at a number of locations across Digbeth.
The festival and parade were organised by the Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival Committee, with support from Birmingham City Council and other sponsors.