The 2010 St Patrick's Festival will celebrate everything that is great about the Treaty City with an I Love Limerick theme.

"It is a huge day in Limerick, it is estimated that 60,000 people lined the streets last year for the parade and I would appeal to the people of Limerick to make this year even bigger," said Mayor Kiely who added there is already a huge interest in this years festivities.

To mark the occasion pupils from second class at St Patrick's Girls School on the Dublin Road created a giant green heart, which will be entered in this year's St Patrick's Day parade.

"There has been a big buzz amongst the kids, they spent all day last Friday making a big green heart and they are very proud of their city and they are looking forward to St Patrick's Day," said their teacher Evelyn Hartigan.

School Principal, Donal O'Gorman, told the Limerick Chronicle: "Every year we do something for St Patrick's Day one way or another and as we get closer to the time we will organise various activities such as a green week.

"We will have a bit of fun and the kids are very exited."
Participants in this year's parade are being invited to design a float or entry to show their pride in their city, their school, business, sports club or community.

"We're encouraging participants to be inventive and creative with their ideas for floats –with the National Lottery Skyfest, the 40th International Band Competition and a huge parade (on St Patrick's Day) we want the 2010 festivities in Limerick to be the best yet," said organiser Fran O'Donnell of Futureama Productions.

The deadline for entry to the band competition and the St Patrick's Day parade is Friday, February 19.

Schools, groups or companies that need help or inspiration in creating their parade entry can log onto www.limerickcoordination.ie for ideas.