The tractors are back!
Christmas Tractors Nenagh are back with a whole plethora of wonderful events organised around the festive parade on December 14.
More than 30 tractors, combine harvesters and vintage agri-vehicles, all bedecked in captivating arrangements of Christmas lights, will parade through the streets of Nenagh in a unique demonstration of agriculture and the rural community. A charity event organised by the Agricultural Contractors of North Tipperary and friends, the tractor parade has fired the imagination of the nation and attracted widespread media coverage.
'Quality over Quantity' is the moto of the Agri Contractors, who limit the number of entries in order to ensure the parade creates the must resplendent atmosphere possible.
And what a lineup they have in store for us this year! The parade will feature an Airborne Santa Sleigh; Flying Snowman on his tractor; a 24-foot Christmas Cracker with Elves workshop; Polar Express Train and Gingerbread House, among other decorated tractor delights to look forward to.
And the marvellous spectacle is not solely confined to those lining the streets - the tractors will also visit Nenagh hospital and the local nursing homes so the patients and residents can see them too, spreading the magic to as wide a local audience as possible for Christmas.
A DAY OF FESTIVE FUN
There will be a real carnival atmosphere in Nenagh from noon on Saturday, December 14, as we excitedly await the main event. There will be a Christmas market, festive fun fair and live music on the streets. Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be out and about with their Disney friends and - another hugely popular addition to this annual event - the Polar Express train will be offering free tours of the town again!
Also on the day, raffle tickets will be on sale at the Christmas Tractors Nenagh Shop on Pearse St (beside Eason) with some €5,000 worth of great prizes to be won. There are some great prizes being raffled, including timber, turf, a Berg Go-Kart, an electric self-drive tractor, as well as numerous hampers and vouchers.
You can also purchase some really cool Christmas Tractors Nenagh merchandise at the shop, including bobble hats (in various colours), CTN kids hoodies, CTN colouring books, and more.
What's even more, from now right up to the day of the event, children can post their letters to Santa Claus in the special festive postbox now in place outside SuperValu Kenyon Street Market. Write to Santa and include a stamped self-addressed envelope - and you will get a reply from the North Pole...
MAGICAL CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
It was local man Robert Gill, proprietor of the Peppermill Restaurant on Kenyon St, who came up with the idea of having a Christmas tractor parade through Nenagh. The first one was held in 2018 and it has grown from strength to strength ever since, the parade being attended by people from all over Ireland and even abroad. It has become one of the biggest local events not just of Christmas, but of the entire annual calendar.
The machinery is decorated by the parade entrants at their own expense. All floats are built by Oliver Kennedy.
The organisers have also seen in the merit of the event as a means of raising funds for deserving causing. Proceeds from this year's Christmas Tractors Nenagh will go to the Billy Goulding Fund, helping a boy from a farming family who at the age of 2 contracted a virus that left him paralysed; as well as Nenagh's A-Team youth club for children and young people with autism. There will be bucket collections where donations can be made on the day.
Welcoming all to share in the festivity of this year's CTN, organiser Albert Purcell took the opportunity to thank Tipperary Co Council, the Chamber of Commerce, all local traders and everyone else that has supported this event. Mr Purcell promised that the 2024 Christmas Tractors Nenagh would be the biggest and brightest yet, a magical Christmas extravaganza for all to enjoy.
The parade will start at 6pm. The tractors will set out from Liffey Mills (at 5.30pm) and arrive in town up MacDonagh St, before turning down Pearse St and onto Kenyon St, finishing at the Mart on Stafford St where the tractors will park and photographs can be taken. There are lots of surprises in store, and there are even rumours of an appearance by Santa Claus - with the assistance of Nenagh Fire Brigade - on Kenyon St ahead of the parade...
Like last year, children are also welcome to take part in the parade with decorated pedal tractors. Please register in advance by contacting Albert at 0872430546.
Check out the Christmas Tractors Nenagh Facebook page for updates and further information.