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| Birmingham celebrates St Patrick's Day parade | Birmingham celebrates St Patrick's Day parade |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Some 80,000 people lined the route of Birmingham's St Patrick's Day parade in what is believed to be the biggest event of its kind in the UK | Some 80,000 people lined the route of Birmingham's St Patrick's Day parade in what is believed 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. |
| As ever, the parade centred around Digbeth and the Irish Quarter, although it was delayed after a crash on the M6 caused congestion into the city. | As ever, the parade centred around Digbeth and the Irish Quarter, although it was delayed after a crash on the M6 caused congestion into the city. |
| Live music, street fairs, a market and children's events were also held. | Live music, street fairs, a market and children's events were also held. |
| This year's theme was Irish myths and legends. | This year's theme was Irish myths and legends. |
| The parade, which featured hundreds of floats, vintage vehicles, carnival costumes and an Irish dragon, took place from 12:00 GMT to 14:00, although other celebrations were planned into the night. | The parade, which featured hundreds of floats, vintage vehicles, carnival costumes and an Irish dragon, took place from 12:00 GMT to 14:00, although other celebrations were planned into the night. |
| 'Best weather' | |
| Michael Grimes, a student at the University of Birmingham, said the city had a "huge Irish culture". | Michael Grimes, a student at the University of Birmingham, said the city had a "huge Irish culture". |
| "Derry's a good craic on St Patrick's Day, but nothing like this. This is ridiculous," he said. | "Derry's a good craic on St Patrick's Day, but nothing like this. This is ridiculous," he said. |
| Organisers praised the good weather and said the crowd could be the biggest ever. | Organisers praised the good weather and said the crowd could be the biggest ever. |
| Mark Lennon, a member of the festival committee, said: "I've been living in Birmingham for three years now and this is my third festival and parade. | |
| "It's been dry and sunny for each of the three, but this is probably the best of the weather I've seen. | |
| "The third biggest parade in the world, behind New York and Dublin. I've been to both of those parades and Birmingham is every bit as good." | |
| Most of the road closures around Bradford Street, Birchall Street, Chapel House, Stoneyard and Green Street have now reopened. | |
| 'Built Birmingham' | 'Built Birmingham' |
| 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," said Anne Tighe, head of the festival committee. | |
| "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." |