All set for Foxford Riverfest
THE official opening of Foxford Riverfest will be performed by RTÉ presenter and broadcaster Keelin Shanley in the festival car park, overlooking the River Moy.
It takes place tomorrow (Friday, August 19) at 8.30 p.m., and will be followed by Candles to the Sea, a memorial ceremony for loved ones and anglers who have passed away. A flotilla of candles resting on rushes will gently float down the river at dusk, with music provided by the Foxford Brass & Reed Band.
Foxford Riverfest is a family-orientated nature and fishing festival that offers a wide range of activities and entertainment on and around the River Moy. It is a celebration of the river and the beautiful surrounding countryside.
There is a packed programme of events on both the Saturday and Sunday taking place on the river and in the Riverfest village, located on the riverbank. There are competitive events such as rowing, boat building and racing, the Foxford Riverfest Irish Open Spey Casting Competition (professional and amateur), as well as the salmon angling competition.
For nature lovers it’s a festival of activities, with local nature walks, foraging, a wildflower walk and talk by Dr. Karina Dingerkus and a talk on river birds and the locality by Dr. Richard Stone. There will also be a historical walk of Foxford by local historian Brian Hoban.
As well as the salmon angling competition on the River Moy local beats on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., for those wishing to learn how to cast a line there will be ‘try a cast’ given by professional casters and local anglers on the banks of the river on Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. A children’s fishing competition will also take place with assistance from local anglers. There will be many children’s events over the weekend, both on and off the river.
In the fishing village there will be craft stalls and demonstrations in basket making, a harvest knot workshop, pottery demonstrations and cookery demonstrations by award winning chefs on both the Saturday and Sunday.
There is a busking competition on the Saturday, with the winner opening the evening’s entertainment on the market square stage from 6 p.m. Entertainment on the Saturday evening will be provided by Drummin Wood and the Clandestinos. The festival concludes on Sunday evening with the Riverbeats Samba drumming parade and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Michael Tiernan, chairman of the Riverfest committee, said: “A warm welcome awaits you in Foxford - 'capital of the Moy'. This is the third year of the festival and it promises to be the biggest and best so far. A dedicated and hard working committee have put together a full programme with something to suit everyone. It would be great to see a large crowd turning out to support and enjoy Riverfest 2016.”
For more information on events taking place over the weekend, visit the website at www.foxfordriverfest.com or Facebook.com/theriverfest, or phone (085) 7129191.