8/14/2019 Events at the Parade

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/events-at-the-parade 1/1

S T PAT R I C K ’ S D AY F E S T I VA L B I R M I N G H A M 2 0 1 0| 2 5

THEBLUFFERSGUIDE TOST PATRICK

Probably born on the westcoast o the British Islesaround 400AD. His atherraised taxes or the Romans,so the amily were well of.Captured by Irish raiders age15 and taken to work as ashepherd, possibly in the areathat is now County Antrim.Escaped six years a terdreaming o a ship waitingin the harbour. rained asa priest and was ordainedBishop with 10 years.

He had a dream aboutconcerting Ireland toChristianity. Returned therearound 432AD to begin his

missionary work. Is creditedwith establishing the Leap Year tradition o womenproposing to men a ter StBridget complained thatwomen were tired o waiting

or wedding proposals. Legendsays she proposed to StPatrick, but he re used. March17 is recognised as the date o his death. But no one knowswhich year. Te story o himdriving snakes rom Ireland isa myth, it’s really a metaphor

or his putting an end to

common pagan practices.

Used the three-lea ed shamrockclover as a teaching aid toexplain the idea o the Holy

rinity to the pagan KingLoghaire. Queen Victoriaordered soldiers in Irishregiments to wear shamrockon St Patrick’s Day in memoryo ellow Irishmen killed inthe Boer War. Tere’s an 18thCentury Cork tradition to eatcorned bee on St Patrick’s Day.Rather better is the traditiono raising a pint o stout towish everyone Sláinte. Gaelic

or “health”.

Te MAIN EVENT A guide o how o ge he mo from Parade day.

EvEnts

Digbe h High s ree ,sunday March 15 2pm-7pmBE PREPAREDWork out how to get Digbeth – most bus services

are una ected (but remember Sunday service)lwith road closures in operation, check your routei coming by car; , check train times. At least a day/night be ore, check the weather and ensure youhave suitable clothing or the ollowing day. Gt anearly night as it is going to be a long day. Consideryour itinerary – look in the brochure or on thewebsite (www.stpatricksbirmingham.com). Canyou get to sing with the masses outside the IrishCentre and still get to see Velvet Texas Cannonballas part o St Patrocks at South Birmingham College(yes!). Pack a camera or video – there’s too manyopportunities to miss.

ON THE DAY

Start early – you will be glad you did; experienceand witness the atmosphere build. To get themost out o this phenomenal day – start early byattending the rst o cial event and eel the sense ocommunity as Mass is taken at St Anne’s at 10 am.

Get some sustenance – buy a hot drink and a buttyrom one o the many ood vendors by the Irish

Centre. Use the loo (public toilets are variouslypositioned throughout Digbeth) – you may be stoodin one place or a long while. Get a good spot andget ready - when you here the pipes a playin’ in thedistance – you will know the parade is underway.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Prepare or a parade o the Richter scale with:12 Pipe and Drum Bands, 2 Samba Bands, 2Dholblaster Bands and the Rustin’ Brass MarchingJazz Band trying to bring down the walls o Digbeth.

Traditional Irish Dancers hot shoe shufing alongsidean Irish themed Bollywood routine and Chinese LionDancers. Vintage motorbikes and classic cars puttingon the style whilst being out-machismoed by themechanised workhorses o Willie ‘Fergus’ Finnegan’smassed tractors. GAA clubs, Football Clubs, Rugby

Clubs and Boxing Clubs trying to impress with theirphysical prowess. Film Star doubles and AmericanCivil War re–enactors amongst the weird andwonder ul world o walking groups.

BBC WM. HEART FM, BRMB, all broadcasting liveto the most important city on the planet whilst enroute. And all this is be ore we even breathe a wordabout Decorated Floats, County Associations, VIP’sor more Idiosyncratic Irishness than you could wavea serpent driving sta at.

POST PARADE

Don’t orget to watch the massed bands by the IrishCentre at the end o the parade and then join in the

mass singing o Molly Malone a terwards. I youhave children, take them to St Patrick’s Playgroundto see the clown and magician and join in the kid’sdisco at the Old Library in The Custard Factory (GibbSt).

With or without children you can enjoy theEmerald Fringe around Birchall St by the IrishCentre: reestyle ootball champions, cra t stalls,

ood vendors and much more besides. Then takea stroll over to St Patrocks at South BirminghamCollege or some excellent contemporary musicalentertainment or the more sophisticated allure othe workshop or traditional Irish instruments.

And, o course, or adults the day would notbe complete without a visit to one o the manywelcoming hostelries which will be packed or thecraic all day and night. ENJOY .

Birmingham has thelargest St.Patrick’s Dayparade in the UK