Begorrah…Birmingham festival saved after event secures sponsorship
THE future of one of Birmingham’s biggest annual festivals has been secured after the event attracted much-needed sponsorship.
The Birmingham St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade went ahead this year despite the withdrawal of funding from the city council.
The cash-strapped authority pulled the plug on its backing of the event because of the need to save money.
The move instantly raised concerns about the future of the event, which attracts thousands of visitors to the city every year and is one of the largest events of its kind outside of Ireland.
Organisers of the festival failed to secure sponsorship for this year’s event but staged an event anyway, despite the cost of £70,000.
They now said they were delighted that Birmingham-based road surface treatment and waste management company, Kiely Bros had agreed to be the official headline sponsors for the 2017 parade. The agreement includes the name rights for the event.
Taking place on Sunday March 12, the event will be billed as Kiely Bros Ltd Presents the Birmingham St. Patrick’s Parade.
Organisers said the substantial contribution made by the family-run firm had come at a pivotal time for the parade, and would secure the future of the much-loved community event for another year.
Following the council cuts, the event is now entirely funded by corporate sponsorship and public donations, the largest of which has come from Kiely Bros.
The firm said: “As a family-owned, Birmingham based business, we are proud of both our city, and our Irish heritage.
“Kiely Bros employs a significant number local people, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to both secure the future of the Birmingham St Patrick’s Festival & Parade, and give something back to the local community.”
Peter Connolly, member of the Birmingham St. Patrick’s Festival Organising Committee, said: “The parade is hugely important to so many people, it has become a celebration of Irish and Birmingham culture, I can’t imagine it not happening.
“Without the support from stake holders in the city, who have picked up events that the council used to support, the city wouldn’t have celebrations like this.
“It is with huge relief that we can officially announce the parade will go ahead this year, and it is thanks to Kiely Bros stepping in that we can. We have been working hard over the summer and look forward to announcing all our plans for this year’s parade very soon.”
