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Birmingham celebrates St Patrick's Day with parade Birmingham starts St Patrick's Day parade
(about 3 hours later)
Some 80,000 people are expected to take part in St Patrick's Day celebrations in Birmingham later in what is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in the UK. Some 80,000 people are expected to take part in St Patrick's Day celebrations in Birmingham in what is thought to be the biggest event of its kind in the UK.
The city, which has a large Irish community, has hosted an annual St Patrick's parade every year since 1996.The city, which has a large Irish community, has hosted an annual St Patrick's parade every year since 1996.
This year's parade begins at 12:00 GMT in Digbeth, as the highlight of a seven-day festival. This year's parade, centred around Digbeth, was delayed after a crash on the M6 caused congestion into the city.
Street fairs and a market are also planned, as well as children's events. Live music, street fairs and a market are also planned.
This year's theme is Irish myths and legends.This year's theme is Irish myths and legends.
The parade, which will feature a range of floats, vintage vehicles, carnival costumes and an Irish dragon, is due to end at 14:00. The parade, which features a range of floats, vintage vehicles, carnival costumes and an Irish dragon, is due to end at 14:00.
'Built Birmingham''Built Birmingham'
It will also see road closures around Bradford Street, Birchall Street, Chapel House, Stoneyard and Green Street until 16:00, although closures around the Irish Centre will remain in place until 18:00.It will also see road closures around Bradford Street, Birchall Street, Chapel House, Stoneyard and Green Street until 16:00, although closures around the Irish Centre will remain in place until 18:00.
The Birmingham St Patrick's Day celebrations are believed to be the third largest in the world, after New York and Dublin.The Birmingham St Patrick's Day celebrations are believed to be the third largest in the world, after New York and Dublin.
Birmingham Library is being lit up in green over the weekend to mark the city's Irish connections.Birmingham Library is being lit up in green over the weekend to mark the city's Irish connections.
With an Irish quarter and an Irish Centre, as well as community groups, organisers said Irish immigrants had made a big impact on Birmingham over the years.With an Irish quarter and an Irish Centre, as well as community groups, organisers said Irish immigrants had made a big impact on Birmingham over the years.
"They helped to build Birmingham for a start," Anne Tighe, head of the festival committee, said."They helped to build Birmingham for a start," Anne Tighe, head of the festival committee, said.
"All immigrants, including the Irish, have had an impact on the city and we're welcoming everyone to come and celebrate St Patrick's Day with us.""All immigrants, including the Irish, have had an impact on the city and we're welcoming everyone to come and celebrate St Patrick's Day with us."