Truro prepares for St Piran's Day parade

Final preparations are being made for Truro's St Piran's Day parade on Tuesday 5th March. Whilst many towns in Cornwall will be holding their own Pirantide celebrations, Truro was the first to hold a St Piran's Day parade back in the early 1980s.

Today, the capital's St Piran's Day parade continues to attract numerous participants and spectators and brings together cultural organisations, local businesses, schools and individuals to celebrate their Cornish identity.

This year's parade will leave the Waterfall Gardens under the viaduct on St George's Road at 1.15pm. The procession will then make its way along Ferris Town, River Street, St Nicholas Street and Boscawen Street before finally heading up King Street to finish outside the cathedral at High Cross.

Once the procession has reached High Cross there will be a welcome speech by the Mayor of Truro, Lindsay Southcombe, a blessing from Canon Pastor of Truro Cathedral, Lynda Barley, and a variety of short performances by local schools.

The event will end with everyone singing Trelawny.

One of the schools taking part this year is Bosvigo School. Alison

Shaw teaches the Year 6 class who will be performing the legend of St Piran outside the cathedral at the end of the parade.

She said: "We're really looking forward to St Piran's Day once again. We really enjoy the occasion and dress in black, white and gold. Class 6 are very excited to be performing the legend of St Piran in Truro this year. It will be quite a challenge to perform outdoors – perhaps in the wind and rain – but we're still looking forward to it!"

Many of the city's shop owners planning special Cornish themed windows to mark the occasion, with a prize trophy up for grabs for the best display. The prize trophy has been sponsored by Truro accountants, Robinson Reed Layton, and will be presented to the winner of the competition as part of the Truro St Piran's Day celebrations outside the cathedral.

Truro's Tourist Information Centre is also getting ready for the big day. Last year they sold a record number of handheld St Piran's flags so have stocked up again.

Acting Manager of Truro's Tourist Information Centre, Abi Steel, said: "We are happy to support and promote the Truro St Piran's Day Parade as it is an important part of our Cornish heritage."