Huddersfield will turn emerald green this Sunday when St Patrick’s Day celebrations return.
The 15th annual parade will return to the town to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint nine days early.
It is the latest time in a number of years that Huddersfield organisers have chosen to hold the colourful and vibrant event early, as it will be celebrated in most cities on March 15. The early date enables them to bring in top entertainers.
And organisers, who represent a strong local Irish community, have urged people from all backgrounds to come and join in the fun, which will celebrate Irish culture and traditions.
Organiser, John McLaughlin, said: “We decided to hold it nine days earlier than St Patrick’s Day in order to host the best acts in the country.
“This one promises to be a fun-filled family party to banish the winter blues where everyone will be invited to sing, dance, clap and embrace the shindig and the shenanigans.
“Everyone is welcome, you don’t have to be Irish to be Irish.”
Thousands of people clad in green are expected to crowd into the town centre to try get the best view of the now renowned parade, which is supported by the Government of Ireland and Kirklees Council.
It will start at the Irish Centre on Fitzwilliam Street at 1pm and will snake down into St George’s Square at 1.45pm.
There Town Crier, Vic Watson, will put on his dancing shoes to introduce a 20 minutes triple treat of performances billed as ‘Step, Dance and Rock’.
Irish and Huddersfield sporting mascots and flags will line the streets along with local acts, which include Giants Causeway Rock band, Memphis Cruisers Rock ‘n’ Roll band, Frumptarn Guggenband, The Huddersfield University Marathon band, Ciara Darcy Academy of Dance, Silver Stars Majorettes, Cassidy Irish dancers, The Giants Cheerleaders, Wild Irish Roses and traditional Irish outfits, Keep it Country and Celtic Duo.
Other attractions will include Liverpool Irish Flute Band, a compere and disco, a display of the 2015 World Medical and Health Games, street exhibitions, and face painting.
This year there will also be a special celebration to mark International Womens Day, which will be commemorated around the world on the same day.
