Streete Parish Park fairy light tractor run

There were great scenes of excitement in Streete Parish Park on Wednesday evening December 29 last for the centre's first fairy light tractor road run.

The run, organised by the park committee in aid of St Christopher’s Edgeworthstown branch, was a fantastic success.

The parish park committee has supported St Christopher’s over many years with an annual run and walk event normally held after Christmas, but due to Covid restrictions, it has not been possible for the last two years.

So the park committee vintage club members put their thinking caps on and came up with the fairy light tractor run. Many vintage clubs around the country have organised similar runs, and invited owners to deck out their tractors in festive and coloured lights to raise funds for local charities.

Kevin Brady of Streete Vintage Club, and a member of Streete Parish Park committee, said: “We are delighted to help and support St Christopher’s in raising funds, and we hope that what is raised will help provide a little support to the children and adults using the service.

“St Christopher’s provides support to people who require individual needs to reach their full potential. Covid has been massively disruptive to the service, but St Christopher’s are determined to help residents keep a level of routine. We hope the funds raised will help in some way.”

The convoy of around 80 vehicles and tractors set off from Streete Parish Park around 6pm and followed a lead vehicle which set the pace along the 10km loop route back to Streete Parish Park.

Kevin said” “We received positive feedback from the drivers involved and are delighted to hear all are looking forward to making this an annual event. The Parish Park vintage committee are delighted, the run raised over €2000 and was truly spectacular and captivating.

“We are grateful for all who took part and put so much effort into decorating their tractors and creating a magical and dazzling display of light for children and onlookers along the route to enjoy. We extend particular praise to all who supported and donated prizes for the raffle – we very much appreciate their kindness, especially in the current difficult times.

“We are especially grateful to our support volunteers, stewards and traffic management teams, who ensured health and safety were adhered to at all times, especially at crossroads and road junctions, and everyone who helped to ensure the run was safe and enjoyable.

“Everyone involved in organising this year’s road run was delighted to bring a bit of festive cheer to the locality while also supporting a great organisation.”

Kevin also reminded everyone that the Streete Vintage Show is scheduled to take place on June 26.