FESTIVAL FEVER COMES WHIRLING INTO WICKLOW
WICKLOW town was all a-buzz last week as crowds flocked to the 140th Wicklow Regatta Festival.
With a jam-packed programme filled with old favourites – like the Regatta Queen Ball, Young at Heart, raft races and talent shows – mixed with some new additions, including the Secret Garden Music Festival, there truly was something for everyone.
Regatta Chairman, John Goodman, has thanked everyone for all their support.
‘The festival would not be possible without the financial support of our sponsors, advertisers and those that help us with their time, expertise and premises,’ said Mr Goodman. ‘It’s their generosity that means we have a festival each year with so many free events. I would also like to thank those volunteers who freely gave up of their time to help us in our fundraising activities and the people of Wicklow for giving so generously’.
For the first time ever, the festival was reigned over by joint-queens, namely Casey Kelly and Angelica Einstein.
The Singing Pubs competition took place at premises in Wicklow town, Rathnew and Ashford and was a huge success. The eventual winner was Davey and his version of ‘To Build a Home’ in the Brass Fox. In second place was Buddah and his bands version of ‘Harvest Moon’ in Ta Se’s. Kevin Olohan’s country ‘mash-up’ in the Bridge Tavern finished third.
The annual raft race produced its usual mayhem before ‘ The Beatles’ came out on top. Youngsters Serena and Ruby were the lucky draw winners who got to set off Sunday night’s explosive fireworks display.