Big interest in 2012 River Festival

There's a good test of any event, and that's if the participants want to come back, writes Brian Byrne.

It looks like the Kilcullen River Festival has passed that test with flying colours, because the organisers are already being inundated with requests from stallholders and amusement operators who took part last year.

"A terrific response," says Geri Dineen, one of the founding group of local business people who inaugurated the Festival three years ago. Thousands of people from the locality and right across mid-Kildare also came on both previous occasions to enjoy what was on offer. 

This year there'll be even more. Zorba water balls, a Zipline, a Pubs Fancy Dress Ramble, and a launch theme of plundering Vikings and Pirates are just some of the new elements which are being discussed for the event, scheduled for Sunday 26 August.

It will also again showcase the culinary skills of local eateries and food producers in the Kilcullen area.

In the music end, several local bands will he headlined by A Flock of Budgies, and a Kareoke Competition for children is also planned.

The popular river obstacle course event and the display of Army weapons and equipment on the bridge will again feature, with the road through Kilcullen closed from midday to 7pm.