It's River Festival weekend!

River Festival Queen Loren Hammond.

Kilcullen's fifth River Festival weekend swims off this year with the town's first Triathlon beginning at 7pm this Saturday evening, writes Brian Byrne. There will be parking restrictions in the square for the duration of the event.

On Sunday, the Main Street will be closed to traffic from midday to facilitate people enjoying the tented village of restaurants and craft stalls, along with the various entertainments for children and adults. These will include bouncy castle, magic dragon and sumo suit fun for the smaller participants.

A canoe demonstration at 1.30pm starts off the river based festivities, while those who prefer their fun on land can watch Pat Fallon's Magic Show from 1.45. Kilcullen Lions float off their Duck Race at 2pm, and there will be a wobbly circus on the river afterwards.

The Chowder Competition sets off in procession through the Festival area at 3pm, and will be followed by tasting in the Heritage Centre.

River competitions begin at 3.30pm with the Cross River Challenge, preceding the Raft Race at 4. Back to the wobbly circus at 4.30pm, then the Tug O'War concludes the activities.

Throughout the day, there will be music from Kilcullen's top local bands, until the final prize giving when the competitive events are completed. There's also tea and coffee and chat in the Credit Union, and maybe the usual goal scoring competition in the garden there.

Also through the afternoon, the Bridge Camphill Farm & Nature Trail can be browsed for those looking for a little tranquility from the buzz elsewhere. While a bit of fire-walking outside Bardons should raise a level of awe, shock and even a little fearful shutting of eyes, all in the cause of helping fund a children's ambulance.

Two particular shop-based attractions for the weekend are the crafts and art gallery set up by Antoinette Buckley, and beside it the temporary photo gallery and studio from local photographer Conor Williams. A good opportunity to have that family portrait done when you have everybody in town.

And there's lots more promised, but come along and find out for yourself.

Kilcullen's River Festival is organised by local business interests, to highlight local food and drink producers and generally make Kilcullen the place to round off the summer with a great afternoon.