Organisers of the Strokestown Easter Parade are hoping that the Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Gerasko Larysa will join Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Tom Crosby in leading this year’s parade.
Plans are well advanced for the event which takes place on Easter Sunday at 3 pm.
The parade committee has also acknowledged the staging of the County Fleadh Cheoil in Strokestown on Easter weekend.
In a statement to the Roscommon People this week, a spokesperson for the committee said: “Plans are well advanced for Strokestown’s Annual Easter Parade which takes place on Easter Sunday at 3 pm.
“The committee is hoping that the Ukrainian Ambassador along with Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr. Tom Crosby, will be special guests on the day.
“The parade will also acknowledge the presence of the County Fleadh in the town for Easter weekend. The official opening of Fleadh will take place directly after the parade.
“The Strokestown Development Association looks forward to working with County Board of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to create a very positive weekend for the Strokestown region.
“The parade will just be finished by 4 pm and people will be able to watch the Connacht Senior Football Championship clash between Roscommon and Mayo in the various pubs and the Percy French Hotel. There will be lots of traditional music also”.
A €250 top prize is among the number of prizes on offer to national and secondary schools who take part in the parade.
“Schools do not have to have every member marching in the parade; a representative group from school will suffice,” the spokesperson said.
“If your school has had any type of success recently then you are entitled to enter this competition”.
The committee has promised “lots of surprises” on Easter Sunday and confirmed that Strokestown Park House will also be open to the public. Floats for the parade can be entered up to Good Friday, with all floats free of charge.
“The Development Association are very grateful to the business people of the town and region plus Roscommon County Council who continue to sponsor the event. The event simply could not run without those people.
“Any information required by the public is available by contacting 071-96 33759, 087-1668775 or emailing SCDA bawnst91@gmail.com,” the spokesperson concluded.
