The Parade - Llangollen 2010

Although there is always an evening concert on the Monday evening of the week of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, the festival 'proper' doesn't officially start until the parade on the Tuesday.

This is an amazing event where hundreds of people taking part in the competitions during the week parade in costume through the centre of Llangollen flanked by cheering crowds of well wishers who often follow the paarde to the festival site on the edge of the town.

The parade is led by the Eisteddfod President who is currently (and has been for some years), Terry Waite CBE

I hope this selection of photographs gives you a flavour of the parade.

Barrie Neil Photography

Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2009

If it is July, it must be time for the International Musical Eisteddfod at Llangollen.

The organisers of this wonderful extravaganza of music and dance call us their 'celebrity photographers' and every year it is our great pleasure to photograph the famous faces that descend upon Llangollen both as artistes appearing on stage and as guests to see the participants from all corners of the globe take part in the shows and competitions.

As well as Terry Waite CBE (the ever energetic President of the
Eisteddfod, pictured), other famous faces we met today were the vivacious Russell Grant and the BBC's John Sergeant (sitting instead of dancing for a change)

Of course what makes the event what it is, are the colourful, energetic, enthusiastic and extremely talented performers of all races and ages and there is no greater spectacle than the Parade of Nations, the noisy and exciting procession through the centre of Llangollen, that marks the official start of the festival

If the excitement of the parade was not enough for everyone, the events of Tuesday 7th July 2009 were well and truly rounded off by a superb concert by international singing star, Barbara Dickson who gave a memorable and well extremely well received performance in the main pavillion and then pleased her many fans by spending a very long time after the performace signing autographs and copies of her CDs.
Despite the fact that she was just about to go on stage to entertain her fans in the 4,000 seater venue, Barbara took time out to be photographed in the wings (thank you Barbara).

Our next venture down to Llangollen will be on Friday 10th July 2009 for Blake (steady on girls) and the gorgeous Natasha Marsh .... watch this space

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