2011 Sydney St Patrick's Day Parade: The Wearin' o' the Green
The streets of Sydney will turn into a sea of green as the 2011 Sydney St Patrick’s Day parade makes its way through the city on Sunday the 20th of March. Australians with at least some degree of Irish ancestry make up around 30 percent of the country's population, so it’s little wonder that St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with considerable gusto around the nation. The Sydney St. Patrick's Day Parade plays hosts to music, costumed dancers and a vibrant parade that’s sure to leave no single Irish cliché undisturbed.
From kilts and bagpipes to shamrocks, little green hats and beards, Sydney’s Irish community will celebrate their culture and heritage from morning 'till late and let the Guinness flow free. The event kicks off opposite Sydney Town Hall on George Street at 10:20am with live bands and Irish dancing performances. The parade itself begins its jovial jig down George Street at midday, bristling with green attired revellers, spectacularly adorned St Paddy’s Day floats and a cavalcade of vintage cars. From the corner of George and Bathurst Street, the parade will turn right into Park Street at Town Hall then left into Elizabeth Street, finishing up at St James Street. The theme for this year’s parade is "The Book of Kells," so expect elaborate medieval decorations, and perhaps the odd Celtic monk!
The fun continues after the parade with Irish treats (think chip butties, Tayto crisps, Barry’s tea, soda bread and beer battered fish) and plenty more music in Hyde Park.
The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade is a fun, spirited day out with a family-friendly atmosphere – don’t forget your four leaf clovers, green wigs, 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' buttons and Gaellic football jerseys! If you’re after some slightly more adult entertainment post-parade, get yourself to one of the city’s sure-to-bustling Irish pubs for great craic and of course, plenty of “the black stuff” – Ireland’s beloved Guinness.
Posted on Feb 9, 2011 by Fiona Davies
