All in place for Kilcullen's big festival

Mary O'Neill and John Courtney at the launch night of the River festival.

Festival to be bigger than everIt'll all be happening in Kilcullen next Sunday for the fourth running of the Kilcullen's River Festival, which has grown out of all proportion to the expectations of local businesses who organise it.

Reptiles, river fun, great food and rock 'n' roll are all in the recipe that makes the event the perfect official end to the summer in mid-Kildare.

New this year is a Chowder Competition in which restaurants in and beyond Kilcullen will be competing for a place in the National Chowder Competition in Kinsale.

There's also a new Cross-River Challenge where a blindfolded goalie tries to prevent scores wearing giant gloves. The regular Raft Race and Tug-O-War competition are already fully subscribed and will once again provide uproarious entertainment.

A big lineup of local bands will play throughout the afternoon, and two surprise music events are promised, including a debut number from a local songwriter relating to Kilcullen's association with the River Liffey.

All the time, those who come along for the best of family fun can browse through the Tented Village with restaurant foods, shops, entertainment, arts and crafts, tricky tricksters, bouncy castles and sumo-suit wrestling.

The Barman's Race is another highlight, as is the annual Lions Duck Race raising funds for local charity, sport and cultural endeavours.

It all gets going at midday on Sunday, and the town will be closed to traffic for the event. Diversions and ample car-parking will be signposted.

Key sponsors this year are Kilcullen Centra, Fallons, Bardons, Nolans Butchers, Trevor Hull Media and Joeys Bar & Restaurant. There's also wide-ranged support from many other Kilcullen businesses.