Carlow County Council - Streetfest Weekend brings a different beat to the street.
Lower Tullow Street came alive with vibrant performances and festivities during Streetfest, which was held on Friday, April 5th, and Saturday, April 6th, 2024, in tandem with the Pan Celtic Festival. Featuring an eclectic mix of entertainment and cultural experiences, the event brought together residents and visitors alike for a weekend of celebration.
Lauding the weekends activities, Cllr. Andrea Dalton, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “last week was a great week for County Carlow with thousands attending the Pan Celtic Festival activities which immersed every element of Town Centre life in Celtic culture while also in tandem launching our own Streetfest Programme which will examine opportunities for the development of new experiences in the Town Centre”. Andrea continued to say “Cultural festivals like Streetfest serve as invaluable platforms for fostering community cohesion, celebrating diversity, and showcasing our town's unique identity. They not only bolster local economies by attracting tourism and supporting small businesses but also promote social inclusion and pride in our shared heritage. Events like these are the lifeblood of our community, enriching the fabric of our society and creating lasting memories for generations to come”. Andrea concluded by saying, “I’d like to thank the local business community and stakeholders for working with us to make this weekend happen, and we look forward to hosting weekend two next weekend, which will bring the wobbly circus to Tullow Street for more family fun, antics, and experiences.”
Streetfest kicked off on Friday with a lively array of street performances and free face painting, captivating audiences of all ages. The highlight of the day was the Pan Celtic Parade, a colourful display of cultural pride and heritage, followed by an electrifying after-performance that kept the crowd entertained. Adding to the excitement, Monsieur Gusto, renowned for his mesmerizing circus acts, wowed spectators with two sensational shows each day. His performances left children of Carlow spellbound, showcasing a blend of skill, humour, and sheer spectacle.
Despite the weather, the Streetfest programme continued into Saturday, offered more opportunities for enjoyment with additional free face painting and street performances throughout the morning. The festivities escalated with a live broadcast of Edward Hayden and KCLR from Lower Tullow Street, engaging attendees with live music, interviews, and interactive fun with Monsieur Gusto taking to the stage to continue his captivating performances.
Meanwhile, International Acts took to the street with the Pan Celtic Busking Competition providing a platform for talented musicians to showcase their skills, filling the streets with the sounds of tradition and innovation.
Speaking about the initial response to the activities, Coilín O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council, said: “We are delighted with the initial reaction to Streetfest.” Coilín continued to say, “As a Council, we understand the significance of fostering a vibrant town centre experience. It's not just about commerce; it's about creating a welcoming space where residents and visitors alike can gather, connect, and spend time. Events like Streetfest play a crucial role in bringing people together, enriching our community spirit, and contributing to the vitality of our town centre.” Coilín concluded by saying “I look forward to our continued work with the Town Centre Traders , County Carlow Chamber , Carlow Tidy Towns and Carlow Town Team on this pilot so that we can all collectively learn from the process which can feed into future plans for Carlow Town Centre”.
Next weekend will see weekend two of Streetfest and Mayor of Carlow Municipal District said , Cllr. Tom O’Neill said “'I’m looking forward to the exciting line-up we have planned for the upcoming weekend. Our programme includes free face painting, street performances, circus acts, juggling, stilt walking, and much more! It's going to be a day filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family. Join us on Friday 12th & Saturday, April 13th, 2024, for a memorable experience on Lower Tullow Street”.
For more information and updates, please visit www.carlow.ie.
