Excitement is building as the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 is now only days away.
The Festival, heralding the official start of Dundalk’s Christmas celebrations takes place this Friday and Saturday, November 28th & 29th kicking off on the Friday evening with Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny, and Louth County Council Cathaoirleach, Oliver Tully officially switching on the town centre’s Christmas illuminations as well as performing the official opening of Dundalk on Ice.
Titan the Robot, is set to make a triumphant return to Dundalk this year and will be making appearances with his ultimate family entertainment comedy show over both days of the Festival, at the Market Square, and also at The Marshes Shopping Centre.
Also taking place over the two days will be the Animal Farm on the Demesne. Sponsored by PetSafe, visitors to the farm will see many different animals including chickens, giant rabbits, pygmy goats, pet sheep, llama, alpaca, as well as a small falabella pony and cart.
On Saturday afternoon, festival goers can also take their own pets along for a special animal blessing ceremony. This free Animal Farm has the full support of the Louth Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and donations to this very worthwhile local cause would be very much appreciated.
Mums and Dads don’t forget that this year there is also a special Letter to Santa Postbox this year.
Young letter writers should, if possible, attach a contact e-mail as Santa has agreed to take some time out to reply to the letters via e-mail.
The popular Christmas Markets continue at this year’s festival. A craft market featuring the best of local crafts is to be housed in the Clanbrassil Centre while around the Market Square, the aroma of seasonal spices and flavours of the food market will fill the air.
A Festival stage will be located over on the Courthouse side of the Market Square, where there will be live entertainment over the two days of the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture.
The ever popular Blue Moose will headline the live music on Friday, while special guest on the night will be Voice of Ireland winner Brendan McCahey.
Free entertainment for all ages will be held throughout the town including fire eaters, unicyclists and other street performers along with carousels and a disco dome for the children.
A new feature this year which will help people travel easily around the town centre festival attractions is the Festival Train – a unique way to travel along the festival’s key route and take in all that the festival has to offer.
The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture continues through to Saturday evening and will conclude with the now traditional fireworks display at the Marshes Shopping Centre lighting up the town skyline and also including the arrival of Santa via a huge Kenworth truck, the biggest truck Dundalk has ever seen.
The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture Committee is working away in the background as the final countdown to this year’s Festival continues.
Committee member Harry Traynor of the Marshes Shopping Centre said: “There’s been a number of months hard work put in to making sure we can offer the best Festival experience over the two days.
“We’ve catered for all tastes and I am sure that there is something to suit everyone in this year’s programme.
“All I can say at this point is that I hope as many people as possible turn out, enjoy the weekend and support the Festival and Dundalk Town Centre.”
Committee member, Edel O’Mahony, Dundalk BIDS Manager said she is looking forward to a fantastic weekend to start Dundalk’s Christmas season.
“The retail community in Dundalk has made the Festival of Light & Culture possible and I would remind people that supporting local business boosts the local economy further and gives increased stability to our local workforce
“I hope everyone enjoys the festival experience, whilst also reminding people that we can all benefit in one way or another from supporting local Christmas business community initiatives.”
Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture is funded and supported by the following without whose generosity holding this community event would not be possible: Louth County Council, Marshes Shopping Centre, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns, PetSafe, Haribo.
The Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture programme is now available in various retail outlets throughout Dundalk including The Marshes Shopping Centre and Dundalk BIDS Office/Dundalk Tourist Office.
