No parade for Athlone unless volunteers step up

A local councillor is calling on the people of Athlone to step up to the plate and get involved in organising next year's St Patrick's Day parade, amid fears that time is running out to start planning the event. 

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke urged those interested to form a committee as soon as possible in order to get the ball rolling for the 2020 festivities. 
“I would appeal to anyone with an interest to get in touch with myself or the council. A public meeting will need to be organised to get things moving,” he said. 
“I wouldn't like to think we would lose the St Patrick's Day parade, but I don't think it's good news at the moment. Some people had expressed interest at the AGM [in April], but they have not formalised themselves into a committee yet.”

The call comes after all seven members of the previous committee resigned following this year's St Patrick's Day festival. 
The group had faced criticism from some sections of the local community regarding the decision to hold the parade on Saturday March 16, rather than on St Patrick's Day itself. Despite the date change the parade was widely acknowledged as one of the most successful events in recent years; however the committee stated they were stepping down in order to make room for “some new faces and different approaches”.
A small number of people came forward at the AGM on April 10 to express an interest in taking over the running of the parade and associated events; however, an official group or committee has not yet been formed. 
Acknowledging that the parade is a huge undertaking, Cllr O'Rourke said a properly structured committee, complete with chairperson, secretary, treasurer, fundraising coordinator and PRO, is essential.
“It is a very big undertaking nowadays for volunteers, and demands so much personal time. It is the same problem St Patrick's Day committees have all over the country.
“You need a committee of 8-10 people. There is money to be managed, health and safety to organise, not to mention booking floats, sorting out insurance, liaising with Gardaí and applying for funding.”
Anyone who is interested in getting involved in the 2020 St Patrick's Day parade can contact Cllr Aengus O'Rourke or Westmeath County Council.