CORK:MEDAL WINNERS at the Shanghai Special Olympics served as grand marshals at the parade in Cork city. The parade began at 1pm at the South Mall where the Special Olympians were joined by, among others, the Army Band, the Polish School of Cork, Cork City Fire Brigade and the Upper Glanmire Majorettes.
The parade went up the streets of Cork along the Grand Parade before finishing at 2.30pm at the end of Merchant's Quay and Parnell Place.
Kickstarting the parade were Dowtcha puppets with a specially commissioned carnival-style street theatre version of the city crest featuring the Cork city emblem - two towers and a ship in the harbour.
The Dowtcha puppets' ship was populated by a number of puppets representing crews of migrant and visiting sailors seeking safe harbour between the city towers.
Cork Circus took the theme of "monsters of the marsh" quite literally, with a special circus piece featuring warrior frogs, tadpoles and gargoyles with juggling and stilt walking.
Spraoi, the street-spectacle artists, teamed up with Cork-based dance group No Frontiers to provide a magical mix of music, mime and mayhem. Mad Murphy III and his mysterious monsters of the marsh paid tribute to the wonderful and sometimes bizarre travelling circuses that entertained and amazed the Victorian world of the late 19th century.
With his entourage of dancers, showgirls and flag-bearers, Mad Murphy III led out a 60ft Victorian circus train complete with steam engine, coal tender and open-topped circus cage. Contained within the cage were two giant troll-like men, precariously chained and controlled by their handlers, but with a tendency to get more than a little upset when not treated with respect.
Thousands flocked to the city centre for the parade, while many other child-friendly events took place in Cork over the weekend.
Elsewhere in the county Santa Claus made a special guest appearance in Cobh, while the parade in Macroom was broadcast on the internet.
Parades were also held in Glounthaune, Clonakilty, Bantry, Bandon, Midleton, Youghal, Fermoy and Skibbereen.
An outdoor food market was held on Patrick Street in Cork city over the weekend, and at Emmet Place yesterday. Tasty treats for the peckish were on offer as about 30 food producers set up stalls.
Celebrations were concluded in Cork city when Lord Mayor Cllr Donal Counihan hosted an intercultural celebration at Cork City Hall for the 1,700 participants in the parade and other invited guests.
OLIVIA KELLEHER