By George, saint day celebrations are spectacular

Expect dragons, drama and plenty of entertainment at this year’s Saint George’s Day celebrations in Manchester.

The patron saint of England will be venerated through a series of flamboyant events  - which are the biggest in England - starting today (Friday 15) April to Sunday 17 April.

Sunday also includes Manchester's St George's Day Parade, where floats, bands and performers will celebrate the legendary knight, a week before his official saint's day, which is April 23.  

This is Manchester's second St George's Day Festival. Last year it was held in Albert Square, but this year, to accommodate the 15,000 expected revellers, it has moved to Piccadilly Gardens with entertainment running over the weekend from 11am to 6pm.

The Festival will open on Friday with a market in Piccadilly Gardens celebrating local crafts and all things English. The market will be open over the three days from 10am to 5.30pm.

The official launch of the festivities starts at noon on Friday with an address from the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mark Hackett followed by the choir from Wilbraham Primary School in Fallowfield. There will also be entertainment from up and coming band Call Me Diva.  

Saturday's itinerary includes the Belle Vue Brass Band, a performance from musical duo, Street Jazz, a live gig from Stolen Peace as well as displays from Manchester Morris Men and the sure-footed, all-lady clogging group, the Milltown Cloggies.

Sunday's events feature dragon displays, Blackley Brass Band and accapella group, Voice Collective. The highlight of the day will be the parade, now in its seventh year, which will start at Varley Street in Miles Platting at 11.30am and snake its way along Oldham Road and Oldham Street to Piccadilly Gardens, where the Lord Mayor of Manchester will take a salute. The three-mile parade will then continue its way along Newton Street, Great Ancoats Street, Butler Street and Bradford Road before returning to Varley Street for the finish.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader for Manchester City Council, said: "The St George's Day Parade is an iconic event in the city's calendar and is a credit to the committee that makes it happen each year. The entire weekend will be a fun-filled event for the whole family as well, as boosting Manchester's economy and reputation.

"This is also our chance to send a message to our friends in Barcelona who will also be celebrating the day with gusto as they remember the princess, who lived just south of their city, saved from the dragon by Sant Jordi."

Manchester City Council provides financial support to both the festival and parade.

For further information on the parade or festival, visit http://www.stgeorgefestival.net/ or http://www.stgeorgesparade.org.uk/ or http://www.jackstgeorge.bravehost.com/. For telephone enquires, please contact Jack Bradshaw on 07840 177 122.