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A band parade is essentially the end
result of a lot of hard work by the organising band. To attract other
bands to attend, the host must take part in other parades. The theory is
that the compliment will be returned and the more parades you support the
more bands will attend yours.
Before a parade can take place the
organiser is required to fill in a Form 11/1 which is available from the
police. This has to be accepted and signed by a police officer of no less
a rank than sergeant. The Form 11/1 asks for a number of details including
the name and address of the organiser, the parade route, starting and
finishing times, marshals and names of visiting bands.
As already pointed out, fundraising
is an important aspect of a parade and again another form must also be
completed before a collection permit is granted. Prior to the parade some
bands make a point of meeting with the local police to smooth out any
difficulties each party may have.
Most bands have a regular date on
which they attempt to hold their parade each year and this has seen bands
formulate their own social calendar.
Starting times for evening parades
range from 6pm to 9pm depending on the time of year. Most are on a Friday
or Saturday night, with several on a Wednesday. Some parades are held
during on a Saturday afternoon (most of which are in Belfast) while
parades have also been held on a Monday and Thursday but these are not
very common.
Prior and during the parade it is all
hands to the decks with the street collection and marshalling. During the
past years many bands have developed teams of marshals to assist with the
order of the parade. Regrettably in some cases this has been forced upon
the organiser due to the threat of violent opposition to the parade
however all in all this is a positive development.
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