Celebrities visit Wrexham for St David’s Day

UPDATE: A further gallery of images from today’s parade can be found here…!

Original information below:

Wrexham appears to be the place to be today for St David’s Day celebrations.

Actor Luke Evans, perhaps more known as Gaston, was in the city centre ready for the ever popular parade this afternoon – and Rob McElhenney has also popped home.

More from the parade… https://t.co/IDh41A8MWQ pic.twitter.com/0SUiqFeZAJ

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 1, 2024

A huge drone was being tested in St Giles ready for the start of the parade with what appears to be the Welcome To Wrexham documentary crew at several locations ready to share the annual parade with the world.

Earlier there was activity at the Aqueduct and the Gresford memorial.

With the added interest today our usual spot saw film crews rushing for the perfect angles to cover the parade front to back – with notices up the days before alerting the public content captured could be used ‘throughout the world’.

A regular huge turn out of schools was not affected by the weather, which had dried following a grey damp start to the day.

The Civic Party was headed up by Mayor Andy Williams, and the Council Leader who was draped in the Welsh flag.

As with previous years the parade assembled outside the Guildhall (Llwyn Isaf) at 12:45pm before starting at 1:00pm (sharp!) under the leadership of Band Cambria.

This year will also see the celebrations continuing at Tŷ Pawb at 4pm with live entertainment from Welsh artists Megan Lee and Meinir Gwilym – along with Welsh produce stalls and a family craft session.

Mayor of Wrexham Cllr. Andy Williams said: “With the next two years promising to be an exciting time with the National Eisteddfod on the horizon, how wonderful it is to be able to celebrate Welsh culture annually with this magnificent parade.”

The St David’s Day celebrations have been organised by Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam in association with Wrexham Council.

“We want the anthem! Wrexham, Yes?” full on production here “This is it!” crowd are loving it as well as doc filming pic.twitter.com/02eY70dGHX

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 1, 2024

Prince William also paid the area a visit, meeting Wrexham co-Chairman Rob McElhenney at The Turf as well as visiting a school in Gresford.

(You may be able to spot a lady in hair foil towards the end of this short clip, we are told she ran from the nearby hairdressers)

The story continues for @Wrexham_AFC which has now had the King and Queen, and today the Prince of Wales drop into the stadium …#StDavidsDay pic.twitter.com/kjltsvpUQa

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) March 1, 2024

The football club said in a brief statement, “Co-chairman Rob McElhenney joined pub landlord Wayne Jones in greeting the royal visitor at The Turf, where His Royal Highness also met with Club directors Humphrey Ker and Shaun Harvey, supporters from Patagonia and representatives of Club sponsor United Airlines.

“His Royal Highness spoke with supporters in the pub, as well as local community groups who have benefitted from The Turf’s fundraising efforts, before heading into the Cae Ras with CEO Fleur Robinson.

“With the first-team squad training on the pitch ahead of tomorrow’s match at home to Accrington Stanley, His Royal Highness was also introduced to first-team manager Phil Parkinson and Wrexham AFC Women manager Steve Dale.

“Wrexham AFC first-team captain Luke Young and Club captain Ben Tozer then presented Prince William with a home shirt.”

Our teaser from earlier

Rob McElhenney and Luke Evans is on the rumour mill for the city centre – and Prince William at the Turf and Gresford elsewhere. Any other celebs welcome ! https://t.co/2tr9UMRIyO

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) March 1, 2024

More soon.

UPDATE: A further gallery of images from today’s parade can be found here…!