25,000 at Limerick band event

MORE than 25,000 people viewed the 1997 Limerick international band parade yesterday.

MORE than 25,000 people viewed the 1997 Limerick international band parade yesterday.

Forty bands from the US, the UK, Germany and Ireland, as well as drill and dance teams, took part. The band festival, which also included competitions, resulted in 3,500 bed nights for the region and was expected to generate £1 million in tourism revenue.

Competition results: Limerick International Marching Band Competition, Best overall Band - Homewood High School Band, Alabama: Best-dressed Majorettes Group- the Tiger Marching Band, Delaware: Best-Dressed Irish Band- Mullingar Town Band, Co Westmeath; Best-Dressed Overseas Band - Homewood High School Band, Alabama.

Limerick International Drill and Dance Team competition, overall winners -Junior: the Brady Bunch, Shape Jazzmic School of Dance, Limerick; Senior - On Your Toes Dance Studio, Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Limerick International Band Recital Competition, best overall winner, Ballincolig Concert Band, Cork.