KILDARE TOWN, 3 July 2002: by Grace Halford. Monday saw the finale of the twenty fourth Derby Festival in Kildare Town and according to all accounts the festival was a huge success for everyone involved.
This year for the first time the festival opened with a spectacular street carnival under the theme of "Lost in Space". Children from the local schools under the direction of "Artastic" delighted the crowds with extravagant displays of aliens walking their pets; robots and other strange creatures form outer space. Among the entertainment, which was on display, was the amazing "Tumbling Circus" who entertained everyone with their stunning performance of fire acts and dare devil gymnastics.
Sally Purcell, PRO, told KNN that this year the festival organisers had tried to come up with a line up of events, which would suit almost everyone’s taste from the very young to the not so young.
On Sunday St Brigid’s Park played host to the annual Fun Day which this year incorporated the Kildare Animal Foundation Dog Show which saw categories as diverse as the Sweetest Face Category to the Best Handicapped Dog.
Throughout the week the CYMS hall was the venue for the inaugural Marty Fleming Photo Exhibition. Many of the photos dated back to the fifties and included a variety of photos including First Holy Communions, weddings, local events as well as Marty’s first love, race horses, all of which were unearthed when Marty passed away in 2000.
Cairde Bride organised "Creative Mornings" which included Tai Chi in the Japanese Gardens, Herbs and Ecology and Gentle Dancing by the water at St. Brigid’s well.
On Thursday the historic St Brigid’s Cathedral was the venue for an evening of opera, operetta and song gala with Owen Christopher Lynch and friends in aid of the Hospice Foundation.
Over the weekend the Square was rocked with acts as diverse as The Showband Show and The Memories to Paddy Cole and the All-stars.
According to local organiser and Chairman of the festival committee, Ollie Kearns, the event was a ‘huge success’ and he thanked Budweiser, the Kildare Town Vintners Association, Kildare County Council and the Curragh Race Course Company for their generous support and sponsorship without whom the festival would not be possible.
Mr Kearns also expressed his thanks to all who helped organise the festival but voiced his concerns over the recent loss of festival committee members and appealed to the public to become involved in future events.
