Carrick-on-Suir gears up for its ninth annual Christmas Tractors Parade

An estimated 50 tractors covered in glittering fairy lights will travel in procession through Carrick-on-Suir this Saturday, December 17 for the ninth annual Christmas Tractors of Carrick Parade. 

Thousands are expected to gather in the town and other communities the dazzling pageant passes through. 

The event is being organised once again by the Crop Cruisers tractor drivers and will raise funds for the Clare’s Wish Foundation, a charity that  fulfils the wishes of adults suffering from  terminal illnesses.

 Stuart Downie of the Crop Cruisers said they are looking for volunteers to help out at the parade. Anyone interested in volunteering should message the Christmas Tractors of Carrick Facebook page. 

Tractors and their drivers from all over the country will be joining the large contingent of local Crop Cruisers in the parade that will start at a secret location in the Piltown area. 

Mr Downie said the convoy of tractors will begin its tour by travelling to Fiddown where it will cross the Fiddown Bridge into county Waterford and head to Portlaw where they will  deliver Santa Claus to the waiting crowds in the town. 

The parade will then pass through Clonea and Rathgormack before heading to Carrick-on-Suir via the Coolnamuck Road. 

Mr Downie said they expect to reach Carrick-on-Suir around 7pm.  The Christmas tractors will cross Dillon Bridge and take the parade’s usual route down Main Street, through Sean Kelly Square, Kickham Street and onto the N24.  

The parade will  turn right at the traffic lights at Carrick Garda Station and up  New Street finishing at the New Street Car Park opposite Carrick Town Hall. 

There will be   amusements and stalls at the New Street Car Park for families who want to get a closer look at the tractors parked there.