IT’S the parade of the year and party-goers can expect culture and a good craic at Huddersfield’s St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The fun-filled family event will hit the town’s streets on Sunday, March 11, from 1pm.

And as well as the parade through the town centre, there will also be a spectacular River Dance show in St George’s Square.

Organisers are promising it will be an exhibition of colour, culture and craic with 25 vibrant artists ready for a rip-roaring jig through the town.

John McLoughlin, Parade Secretary, said: “It promises to be a glorious eclectic occasion and all are invited to join in the celebrations.

“Nobody enjoys a party as much as the Irish so come and join us.

“It’s the first time we’ve put on a show in St George’s Square and it will be a highlight, there will be a River Dance-inspired show before the parade returns to the Irish Centre.

“But as well as the traditional Irish acts and music, this year we’ve got a brass band, samba band and for the first time ever Morris dancers.

“It’s about the Irish community promoting our links with the wider Huddersfield community.

“The whole ethos of the parade is to promote culture and this year’s parade is a show of the close relationship the Irish culture and community has with the rest of Huddersfield.”

There are around 10,000 members of the Irish community in Huddersfield, taking into account second and third generations.

And they and the wider community can expect something for everyone at the parade, supported by the Government of Ireland and Kirklees Council, will also be led the Tulla Pipe and Drum band, of County Clare.

And for the first time ever there will be the St Georges Square River Dance set by Sligo Comhaltas group.

Local acts will include Giants Causeway Rock band, Frumptarn Guggenband, Marsden Brass Band and newcomers Slubbing Billy’s Morris Dance Team and the Huddersfield Light Opera Company.

As well as traditional and modern musicians, the Huddersfield Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club and friends will march with the 16 flags of the competing nations in Euro 2012.

The ever-popular Irish dancers and Silver Stars majorettes will perform and ‘Saint Patrick’ might find himself in demand.

Other attractions will include compere and disco, street exhibitions, face painting, Leprechauns, ‘The Turfman’ and Irish fare including merchandise stalls, booklets, rosettes, hats and flags.

For more details visit www.theparadeonline.org.

Timetable

1pm Parade starts at Huddersfield Irish Centre

Down Fitzwilliam Street

Right along John William Street

Along New Street

Right up Cloth Hall Street

Right down Market Street

Left up Westgate

Left along Castlegate

Left down Market Street

Along Railway Street

St George's Square stop for ceilidh performance

Left along John William Street

Left up Fitzwilliam Street

Parade finish: Huddersfield Irish Centre

Finish: 2.30pm