In the aftermath of Birmingham City Council’s budget cut announcements, Birmingham St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade faces a tough future, however the organising team are working tirelessly to ensure the future of the parade is secure.
The Birmingham St Patricks Day Parade is one of the city’s most iconic calendar events, and proceedings will be kicked off with the Gala Launch Party and Civic Reception at The Macdonald Burlington Hotel, 8pm till late on Friday March 6th.
For just £15 a ticket, with all profits raised on the night going back into supporting the parade, guests will be welcomed into the beautiful surroundings of The Macdonald Burlington Hotel by the sounds of violinists and harpists playing haunting Irish melodies.
In addition they can also look forward to a two-course sumptuous meal, followed by an evening of traditional live Irish music provided by The Hurling Boys and plenty of dancing.
Derek McDonagh, Managing Director of the Midlands Macdonald Hotel Group, is proud to host the event, saying:
“Since coming to Birmingham from my native Dublin, it has always been a fantastic honour and pleasure to support Birmingham’s St. Patricks Festival. The Macdonald Burlington Hotel is very proud to host the Launch Party in 2015. Fáilte roimh agus Sona lá Naomh Pádraig.”
The event signals the beginning of a week full of St. Patrick’s festivities, culminating with the Parade on Sunday March 15th. On Saturday March 7th, Edgbaston Street in the markets area of The Bull Ring will be buzzing with activity as The ‘Reel’ hits town from 1pm-3pm. A showcase of traditional Irish music and dance will get the city in the St. Patrick’s spirit in preparation for the following weekend’s parade. The Irish music will continue on the evening of Monday March 9th with a traditional Irish jam session at The Spotted Dog, Digbeth from 8:30pm.
With this years theme being the ‘Contribution of the Irish to Birmingham’, it is only fitting the festival events feature a bit of history, with a free exhibition of archived Irish photographs and accompanying stories taking over The Dome in The Custard Factory. Starting Monday March 9th, the exhibition can be enjoyed in the week leading up to parade day. Organised by Birmingham Irish Association, it will embody the theme of this year’s festival by tracking the Irish footprint in the city through photographs and memoirs.
After the week’s events, Parade Day will hit Digbeth on Sunday March 15th. The day will begin with Festival Mass, 10am at St. Anne’s Church, Digbeth. St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School Choir will perform a Melody of Irish Songs, alongside performances from Birmingham Slovak Community and Eritrean Culture and Music. St. Anne’s Parish Musicians and Choir will also perform a variety of Irish Music with some classical pieces.
The parade will march through Digbeth between 12pm and 2pm, starting at Camp Hill with a confetti blast. Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums band will lead the parade, followed by the VIP bus which will host the Lord Mayor and Birmingham’s own St. Patrick, and an array of floats, dancers, flag bearers, and vintage tractors
Gala Launch Party and Civic Reception event location:
Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street, Birmingham B2 4JQ
Proceeds from the Gala Launch Party ticket sales will go back into the Festival and Parade and can be purchased from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/301286. More info can be found on the ‘St. Patrick’s Birmingham’ Facebook page.
http://stpatricksbirmingham.com