This year we are celebrating our 138th year which makes the Wicklow Regatta Festival the oldest in Ireland

THE Regatta festival will run from Wednesday 27th July until Sunday 31st July and will follow the same successful format as previous years in providing free entertainment for all of our community. Events such as Regatta’s Got Talent, Golly Fishing, Pet Show, Fancy dress competition, Raft Race, Historical Walks, Singing Pubs competition, Best Dressed Doll & Barperson’s Race are all planned as well as a new addition to the line up - Regatta Music Workshop presented by the Cantebury School of Music. The Young at Heart Dance will take place in the Grand Hotel on Wednesday 27th at 8.00pm. This free event is a fantastic nights entertainment with lots of fun, food and most importantly, dancing. This year’s fireworks display will take place on the Sunday night. There are events to interest all ages.

We are hosting a Hoedown in Wicklow Gaol Carpark on Saturday 30th. Entertainment begins at 6.30pm and music by Pilgrim Street will kick off at 8pm.

Mr. Malcolm Earls, Chairman stated “I would like to welcome all our emigrants from Wicklow and the surrounding areas that come home each year for the Regatta. I hope you have a great time. The days of big alcohol companies throwing large amounts of sponsorship money at festivals are long gone. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local businesses who advertised in the programme or helped us in any way and I would urge you to support them.”

The Regatta Queen Ball will be held in The Grand Hotel at 9.00pm on Sunday the 24th July. Please come and support all this year’s contestants. Our panel of judges will decide on which young lady will represent this year’s festival.

Erica Copeland, Regatta Queen 2015 stated “My week of being Regatta Queen was spectacular, although I wish it lasted more than a week. It was so amazing to see the whole community come together as one for a week of banter and fun!”

The official launch of the programme took place in the “Jailers Rest” in Wicklow’s Historic Gaol on Sunday July 17th and programmes are now available in Malones Book Shop, Earls News Agents, Cora’s Mini Mart and Flannery’s Wicklow Town and in XL Rathnew.

Don’t forget to purchase your programme for a chance to win a spot prize during the festival. A member of the committee could approach you any day throughout the festival and if you produce your programme on the spot – you win a prize.