Fermanagh's St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Fun Day finally returns to Enniskillen in just four weeks' time, on Friday, March 17 - and this year's theme is 'Back To The Future'!

The craic starts at the Broadmeadow with a free family fun day and a host of live entertainment acts starting at 1.30pm, presented by the hugely popular DJ Bob.

Enjoy a range of free activities, from soccer skills to water-based activity taster sessions, balloon modelling to bouncy castles, mingle with dinosaurs and Disney heroes, and get snapped with some of the silver screen’s most famous vehicles.

There'll be face-painting and glitter tattoos along with free tasty treats including chocolate fountains sponsored by GT Exhausts and candy floss supplied courtesy of Balcas.

"We’re delighted that our wakeboarding leprechauns are back, and we’ve expanded our water activities - making celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland’s only island town a truly unique experience," said a spokesperson for Project St. Patrick.

There will be also be plenty of pre-parade fun at the Diamond in Enniskillen town centre with a live performance from the Hand Me Downs at 2.15pm, as well as traditional dancers and walkabout characters to keep you entertained.

And for those who may prefer a less boisterous viewing platform, Father Raymond Donnelly is providing again this year a ‘Quiet Space’ at St. Michael’s Parish Centre – booking is essential.

"You can always take time out too, to view the entries to our children’s art competition in the Legion while enjoying traditional music and dancing performances," added the Project St. Patrick spokesperson.

Supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Enniskillen BID and local businesses, this year’s spectacular parade will have been worth waiting for!

Led off at 3.30pm by 2023 Grand Marshalls, OMG Foundation, the parade features a range of traditional and carnival-style floats, vintage and futuristic vehicles, acrobatics and live music, as well as the opportunity to meet T-Rex, an interactive dinosaur, and his baby, Rex, plus much, much more.

As it’s been a few years since the last parade because of the pandemic, there will be loads of giveaways on the day that will help everyone enjoy the return of St. Patrick's Day festivities to the island town, whatever the weather.

Helping to mark the launch of this year’s parade's return was Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff, who said: "As Chair, I am delighted that the Council is providing support to Project St. Patrick to host the St. Patrick's Day parade in Enniskillen this year.

"I am confident that the planned programme of events will bring the streets of Enniskillen alive on March 17 with a spectacular parade and entertainment to suit everyone based on the theme of ‘Back To The Future’.

"The Council recognises the important contribution events make to the social, tourism, economic, community and cultural life of the District.

"Supporting events such as St. Patrick's Day helps to ensure this can continue to be achieved.

"I would heartily commend Project St. Patrick for their work in planning the programme, to date, and I wish them every success for the event.

"And a Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Lá Fhéile Phadraig, of course to all who attend," he added.

Brought to you by a very small team of Project St. Patrick, cross-community volunteers for the ninth year, you can keep up to date on everything on their Facebook page including details of fringe events - not least a potential illuminated flotilla of on St. Patrick’s eve around the island town.

Details will also be announced soon of a concert by special international guests, the Highland Dragon Pipe Band, coming all the way from Germany in conjunction with Enniskillen Pipe Band.

Please note: There may be traffic disruptions in the immediate area so plan your parking ahead, as there will be no entrance to the Lakeland Forum except for disabled badge holders.

Additional disabled parking space will be provided behind the Townhall. Drivers are being asked to respect the efforts of the volunteers by not parking on the parade route for safety reasons.

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