By Dan Walsh at Enniscorthy Castle
Celebrity chef Kevin Dundon was guest of honour and performed the official opening of the 8th annual Rockin’ Food & Fruit Festival at a function held in Enniscorthy Castle last night.
There was also a warm welcome for the festival and accolades for the organising committee and sponsors from the Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr John O’Rourke.
Kevin Lawlor from Enniscorthy Credit Union spoke on behalf of the sponsor and wished the festival well.
Master of ceremonies and chairman of the organising committee, Eric Barron, had a long list of ‘thank yous’ to committee members, sponsors and Enniscorthy Castle for hosting the opening function, but there was a special welcome to former District Manager, Ger Mackey, who is recovering from a recent illness.
Energetic members of Southeast Rock ‘n’ Roll Club were jiving and swinging to their heart’s content, while Wexbury added the flavour of local produce to the occasion.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Johnny Mythen, and Cllrs Kathleen Codd-Nolan, Cathal Byrne, Jackser Owens and Aidan Browne.
The festival committee is made up of seven members – Eric Barron, Jimmy Gahan, Richie Cotter, Aisling Cody, Tom Kelly and Maree Lyng.
The festival kicked off in style last night (Friday) with dramatic fireworks display on the Bear Meadows generously sponsored by Riverside Park Hotel and watched by a large crowd sheltering beneath umbrellas as the rain moved in.
The giant Ferris Wheel was taking people high above the town from early in the evenings and family groups were making the best of the amusement rides located in the Abbey Centre.
Today (Saturday0 and tomorrow (Sunday) the streets will be lined with artisan food and a craft market stalls
, the Wexford Food Family Marquee will be located at Enniscorthy Castle with celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, Edward Hayden, Paul Hynes and more, and there are also free ‘grow your own’ sessions at Enniscorthy Community Allotments.
And, of course, there are endless music sessions, plenty of activity on the Market Square stage and in the various hostelries throughout the town. And the festivities flow over onto Bank Holiday Monday.
The programme is massive. Best advice is to grab a brochure or log in to #rockinfoodfestival or www.rockinfoodfestival.ie to peruse all the detail and mark up your choice for the best of festival enjoyment in the shadow of Vinegar Hill by the pleasant Slaney.
WexfordLocal.com 