Fermoy set to be gripped by summer festival fever
BUSY LINE-UP OF EVENTS PLANNED FOR FESTIVAL
FOR the first time in more than a decade festival fever will grip Fermoy this month courtesy of an exciting new initiative organised jointly by the Fermoy Forum and the local Community Youth Centre.
The Fermoy Festival, a celebration of the town’s community and the different groups that help make it such a vibrant place to live and work in, will get underway next Wednesday and run until Sunday, September 3.
Kieran Barry, manager of the Fermoy Community Youth Centre, said the exciting programme of festival events would ensure there was something for all ages groups and interests.
“It has been 15-years since Fermoy had a festival. Given the fact that many surroundings towns and villages have held successful festivals, we thought that it was high time Fermoy did the same,” said Mr Barry.
He said the festival organising committee, which is run entirely by a group of dedicated volunteers, had issued a call to local to give up just and hour of their time to help make the inaugural events a success.
“We see the festival as a real opportunity for the community to work together to create a positive buzz and vibe around the town. We are hoping this can be the start of a new era for Fermoy, with the festival something that we can grow and develop over the coming years,” said Mr Barry.
“Many of the events we have planned are free to the public, so come along and join in the fun.”
The festival will kick off with a special Song Collectors Session in Cheers Bar featuring Bagatelle frontman Liam Reilly, You’re A Star winner Mickey Joe Harte and Cork singer/songwriter Roy Buckley.
Festival highlights over the following days will include live outdoor musical recitals, the screening of classic family films and social dancing at the youth centre and the Fermoy Musical Society’s ‘Cannonball Run’ at Kevin Barry Hill.
The River Blackwater will also play a key role in festivities with the staging of the annual Fermoy Search and Rescue fundraising raft run, the Great Blackwater 3km swim and rowing, canoeing and kayaking sessions on the river.
A family fun day will be held in the Town park on Sunday, Augusts 27 featuring live music, kiddies entertainment and an inter-pub tug-of-war.
A line up of exciting events is also planned for the second week of the festival, which will draw to a close on Sunday, September 3 with another family fun day on Ashe Quay, which will include a vintage car exhibition, live music and a display by UN veterans.
To see the full programme of events visit the dedicated Fermoy Festival Facebook page.