Leading role for street theatre group

Waterford: The Waterford St Patrick's Day parade is expected to attract over 30,000 people to the quays.

Waterford: The Waterford St Patrick's Day parade is expected to attract over 30,000 people to the quays.

The organisers say the event will be a visual spectacular and "the biggest and best yet".

A combined effort by Waterford City Council and the award-winning Spraoi street theatre company will lead the display section of the parade with the largest float ever seen in the city.

Puca, a 140-foot sea monster, who has made its way ashore, will be accompanied by a band of characters in maritime attire, providing a colourful and raucous experience.

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The parade begins at noon when the cast of colourful characters will be brought to life by staff from the city council and Spraoi, as well as members of their families.

The float section, organised by Junior Chamber, will feature a number of Waterford businesses as well as the thrills and technical wizardry of Spraoi, who won the Spirit of the Parade Award at the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin last year.

A float from Bausch & Lomb, which employs 1,700 people at a contact lens manufacturing plant in the city, will also be displayed at the parade.

Employees have created a spectacular float featuring a Sleeping Beauty who wakes up fresh and bright eyed despite having her contact lenses in for so long.

Also participating will be residents of St John's Park, a local authority housing estate celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The estate originally housed a many Waterford Crystal workers, including Italians, Czechs and Germans who came to the city to share their glass-cutting skills.

The 27th annual parade in Dungarvan begins at 3 p.m. on the Waterford Road with participants then passing through Grattan Square and Wolfe Tone Road.