The presentation of the 2016 St Patrick’s Festival Bray Parade Awards took place this evening (March, 23 2016).
It was great to see volunteers from the Fire Service, Civil Defence, local Reserve Defence Forces, visiting matching bands and local community groups really helping to celebrate the spirit of St. Patrick.
- Over 45 groups took part in parade
- The largest most colourful and dramatic parade yet
- Very difficult choices for the judges to select winners for this year
- 6 awards for the parade to present this year
And the winners are………
BEST MARCHING / UNIFORM: The Dublin High School Irish Guard
This school Marching Band has a long tradition of making exceptional music. The band has performed all over California and in Hawaii, Florida, Canada, Ireland, New York and Chicago. Since fall of 2008 the Dublin High School music program has been led by Paul D. Everts. Under Mr. Everts, the band has grown from 56 members to 120 members, 56 of which are participating in this year’s trip. In addition to marching band, Dublin High School’s instrumental music department includes a concert band, jazz, ensemble, percussion ensemble, color guard and orchestra. Each group performs and competes extensively throughout Nothern and Central California. We were delighted to welcome them to Bray and they really made the parade extra special this year.
BEST SPORTS: Bray Emmets
Definitely the biggest entry in the parade this year was Bray Emmet’s GAA club. One of the oldest clubs in Bray having been founded in 1885. It is a truly community based organisation providing sports facilities for all ages and sexes. Currently there are approximately 900 members in the club, partaking in all Gaelic codes, Hurling, Football, Camogie and Ladies Football in 41 teams. Camogie and Ladies football are the two fastest growing sections in Bray Emmets. The club has state of the art facilities off the Old Connaught Avenue in the new Emmet Park where there are four full sized pitches, of which two are lighted and one is all-weather. The clubhouse also has a top quality gym and several dressing rooms and a function room. They have developed a marked walking path and recently held a very successful fitness programme where members and non-members participated. With the club winning many competitions over the years and with the senior hurling championship for the last 2 years running; they hope to have many more years of success at all levels of the club.
BEST OPEN: Rachel Fisher Hip Hop
R.F.F.R Hip Hop is primarily based in Bray, with dancers coming from their open classes in Bray Bowl, Bray School Project and Fassaroe Community Centre. Rachel also has dance schools with dancers here today from Kilmacanogue and the Navan Road. Their hip hop classes are all about expressing their selves through dance, having fun, and making new friendships. Their hip hop family is always growing, and they love to dance as every spectator saw at the parade reviewing stand on Thursday. Every one really enjoyed their performance.
BEST ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Signal Arts Centre
Signal Arts Centre was established as a not-for-profit limited company in 1999 and is now a registered charity. Signal operates a pro-active policy of making the arts and artists themselves readily accessible to the community as a resource, through outreach projects and activities organised in Signal itself. The Centre has made a significant impact in Bray, not only in the arts and educational fields but also as an addition to the town’s basic tourist infrastructure. Their Mission Statement says that they wish to provide a vehicle for working artists to make a valuable contribution to the community in which they work while at the same time enabling them to perfect their own skills and contribute to the development of the Centre itself into a permanent facility for artists and the community. Their amazing presentation at the parade was Alison in Wonderland and they pleased the crowds with their great costumes and tea party!
BEST COMMUNITY: Kilmac First Responders
Kilmacanogue CFR is a newly formed CFR group with 13 qualified responders based in the Kilmac area. They will be going live with the National Ambulance Service shortly. Their very important message at the parade was CPR IS CHILDS PLAY. They had a wonderful Cadillac and yellow truck highlighting the CPR method.
BEST OVERALL: The Berry Irish Dance Academy
A great friend to the St Patricks’ Festival in Bray is the Berry Irish Dance Academy. Berry Irish Dance Academy celebrates over 6 years of fostering excellence in Irish Dance. Classes take place every Saturday at 12 noon in the Bray Bowl complex. Lead by Head teacher Lisa-Marie who has won both national and international accolades, and has taken to the stage with Riverdance. Her students are following in her dance steps, also winning national and international accolades.
Thanks
We would like to extend a huge thank you to the many volunteers, businesses, families, artists and community groups that helped to make this year’s festival and parade happen. We could not have done it without you.
We look forward to 2017 festival and parade.