ALMOST 25,000 people came out on Sunday to view the annual International Band Parade.
Limerick’s Sammy Benson’s Brass and Reed Band took the overall prize at established lead-in event to the St Patrick’s Day celebration on Tuesday.
It was the first time the Sammy Benson group took the main prize, having entered the competition 35 times in the past. The group overwhelmed the crowd with their interpretation of the Bill Medley classic ‘I’ve Had the time of my life’.
Only eight bands entered the competition this year, with the lone entrant from abroad, the Adrian Wilcox High School Band from California, USA.
Even though there was a poorer attendance in terms of bands, it is believed this year’s parade had one of the largest crowds supporting the event in recent years.
Best Irish Band prize went to the Tallaght Youth Band from Dublin, with the Best Local Band trophy going to Limerick’s CBS Youth Pipe Band.
