Vehicle light parade is ‘all about Kevin’

A vehicle light parade is set to illuminate Cavan Town this weekend as a convoy of cars, tractors and everything in between, decked in festive lights, will travel around the town.

The annual event, starting from Cavan Equestrian Centre, will take place this Sunday, December 17.

This year’s event is more special because it has been renamed Kevin’s Vehicle Light Run in memory of the late Kevin Smith, who passed away last Christmas following a battle with cancer.

Kevin was one of the organisers and greatest supporters of the annual run, not to mention many other fundraising events.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt ahead of the event, Kevin’s friend Declan Smith said: “For us that’s doing it, it’s all about Kevin."

He continued: “We ran the tractor run last year and poor Kevin used to always do the grand marshal on the day. Last year he did the counting of the money and he was there from early in the day and was probably one of the last people leaving. He diligently counted out €24,000 to be divided between the three charities. “That was the last charitable act that I’m aware of that Kevin did, but he passed away 11 days later," said Declan.

A big turnout is expected at this year's vehicle lights run in aid of five local charities.

“We’re expecting over 700 vehicles. We’re hoping for a safe and good-humoured run.”

This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever as the organisers have created a range of new activities for all the family.

The festivities will get underway at 2pm in Cavan Town with face painting, a kids tractor run with all vehicles supplied, and a range of musicians and choirs performing.

“We’re going to try and create a festival atmosphere in Cavan Town on the day. We have a lot of activities arranged for Cavan Town. It will be MC’d on the day by Kevin McGahern and we hope to involve a lot of the shops and townspeople.”

A special addition to this year’s lineup will be a pony cart and donkey cart, built by Kevin’s father Michael.

“It’s something Mickie wanted to do in Kevin’s memory. He has a wee workshop down at the house, he’s working away, it’s like a wee elf shop. He’s a credit.”

One of the carts will be put up for auction, while all entrants to the parade will be put into a raffle for the chance to win the pony cart.

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The vehicle parade itself will set off from Cavan Equestrian Centre at 5pm. All entries must arrive before 4:45pm.

The run itself is set to include a '15 Flags for Kevin', initiative which will see 15 vehicles from each club decorated in lights and sporting their club colours.

“This year we’ve called it Kevin’s Christmas Light Run because it was something that was very dear to his heart and helping people was very dear to his heart.”

Kevin was diagnosed with cancer in March of last year, however he was determined to stay involved in the run and make it a success.

“Kevin was immersed in the GAA and in the Crosserlough Club. He was on the management committee for Cavan and he was the development officer for Cavan GAA and he would have assisted a lot of clubs with grant applications and just general knowledge. Kevin was the 'go-to' man,” continued Declan, outlining how this connection spurred the idea of the 15 flags.

Kevin, he said, was always rallying the troops in favour of one cause or another.

"Kevin was always buzzing and, in October, he’d say to you 'we need to start meeting'. He’d be kicking it off and he’d be thinking about it when the rest of us wouldn’t. He just had a great ability to help people.”

Declan spoke fondly of his good friend Kevin, a man which he describes as being “involved in everything”, a pinnacle part of the community in Kilnaleck and beyond.

“He was just involved in so much stuff, you can’t comprehend how he managed to do all he did and achieve all he did, and get on with everybody. Everybody loved him, young or old, it didn’t matter."

This year, all funds raised will be divided among five different charities - the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, Cuan Cancer Support Group, Palliative Care Cavan, Yanna’s Four Leaf Clover and the Vincent McGee Benefit Fund.

“Kevin, if he was around, I’m sure he would have reached out to the Gowna Club so we’ve brought in Yanna’s Four Leaf Clover fundraiser as well.”

Declan is asking everyone to support the event on the day.

"It’s just coming up to Kevin’s anniversary, we’re hoping to get as much support as possible. It’s going to take a lot of people in terms of stewarding and bucket collecting and there’s no problem getting help, you just mention Kevin’s name and there’s people willing to help.”

Concluding, Declan thanked the Clarke family for supplying the use of Cavan Equestrian Centre, An Garda Síochána and the local authorities for their support, and the volunteers and participants who all help make the event possible.

“We can’t do it without the people,” he said.

If you are interested in taking part in Kevins Vehicle Light Run, simply visit Eventbrite to register your vehicle.

Click here to register.