Feast of fun promised this weekend at new Athlone Shannon Feastival
After months of planning, the Athlone Shannon Feastival is nearly here.
The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday and expects to attract large crowds to enjoy an action-packed line up of activity, on and off river, all weekend.
Here's the full programme of events: Also see flyer insert in this week's Westmeath Independent print edition.
The Radisson Blu Festival Marquee, located at the Athlone Castle walls, is the hub of activity, hosting workshops, talks, demos and kids entertainment all weekend.
The Feastival’s official launch event takes place on Saturday afternoon at 4pm when the Sheraton chefs will be busy shucking oysters kindly sponsored by the Sheraton Athlone Hotel to accompany Guinness from Sean’s Bar and Jazz at Feastival HQ.
The Vikings are landing and will set up the Sheraton Viking Settlement at The Strand, where visitors can experience Viking life by exploring the medieval village and seeing weapon making, embroidery, medieval cooking and more!
On Saturday evening local chefs sharpen their knives and forks and wield their tongs for the Viking BBQ Cook-Off at 6pm, an event sure to satisfy the appetite.
Sunday is known for being a day for relaxation so why not treat yourself by visiting the Sirana Spa Wellness Area for some pampering and massage? Or for a bit more action watch the local crews as they battle it out to be crowned 'Champions of The Shannon' in the Leisure Boat Rowing Races.
Professional flyboarders take centre stage at 4pm as they hover over the river performing a variety of amazing stunts and tricks.
The Flogas Demo Kitchen hosts a series of foodie talks, cooking demos and tasty treats all afternoon. And at 6pm Viking Mike casts off and sets sail for a Viking Whiskey Cruise hosted by Midlands Whiskey Experiences.
There is also a Feastival Food Trail and Music Trail including many of the town's restaurants and pubs.
Fashion puts its best foot forwards too. Burgess Department Store hosts a series of workshops from 11:30am on Saturday with Kathryn Byrne of Your Image Matters and Athlone Town Centre hosts a Style Squad event with Rebecca Rose Stylist and Tanya from My Little Love Stories Blog from 12 to 4pm.
Other highlights of the weekend include:
Heritage Boat Spectacle and Cruiser Flotilla
Whiskey walking tours, and tastings with Athlone Whiskey Tours
Performances by The Band of the 2nd Brigade and recitals by ‘Poetry in the Park’ at Athlone Castle
Free Guided Tours at selected times at Athlone Castle and Luan Gallery
‘Reflections’: A special Waterways Ireland Archive Exhibition at Abbey Road Artist Studio and Luan Gallery.
The Feastival is the opening act to the global World Canals Conference on September 10 to 12, expected to attract over 400 delegates from all over the world to Athlone.
To find your way around the feastival, check out this handy map.
The Athlone Shannon Feastival is supported by Westmeath County Council. Roscommon County Council, Waterways Ireland and the Creative Ireland Fund. Major sponsors of the event include Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel, Viking Tours and Flogas.