How about and a trip to the circus….well that’s on the menu for children of all ages at Ireland’s foremost family-friendly music festival. Or maybe you prefer to get down with some afro beats. Loads to do for all members of the family at this years Forest Fest.
Headliner acts for the weekend are Sister Sledge, Britpop trailblazers Suede and Indie giants James.
The brainchild of solicitor Philip Meagher, the festival is aimed at music fans over 30 and their families, and entry is free for children under 12.
The very brilliant and entertaining Broken Theatre Circus, Ireland’s only interactive circus, and the Port Art Collective will feature and host creative family activities across the weekend.
From hilarious clowns to the flying trapeze, Broken Theatre will host twice-daily performances from the Big Top ending at 7 pm for children each day. They will also run a nightly adult vaudeville show plus musical performances.
Workshops from members of the Broken Theatre group and Jabba Jabba Jembe drumming will also give youngsters the chance to perform their newly-acquired skills at the Big Top shows.
(David Day of Jabba Jabba Jembe)
“Circus skills are easy to learn, but hard to master, and there is a magic in watching them being performed well,” said Broken Theatre’s Ringmistress, Jane Murray.
“We look forward to wowing the crowd at Forest Fest, and even more than that, we look forward to the crowd wowing us at the workshops.”
During the festival, the site will be transformed with large murals created by families with help from the Port Art Collective team.
The Port team will also hold wood carving, poetry, painting and percussion classes, and there will also be yoga and dance classes throughout the festival.
The more techie-minded children can learn new Minecraft and 3-D printing skills, and there is even room for the old-favourites like Lego and story-telling.
“There is all sorts of fun stuff going on for parents and their kids,” said festival organiser Philip Meagher.
“Families can take part together in various activities to create, participate, make or just watch the numerous activities happening in the maker area.”
And with plenty of food offerings available, parents won’t need to worry about getting their kids a proper bite to eat during the three-day event.
“We have a huge array of artisan food suppliers on site, and everyone was raving about the quality of the food available last year.
“That’s part of the buzz for the kids. They can go from the traditional burger and chips, to pizzas and Italian food, to Indian food and noodles.
“The whole world, food-wise, is represented.
“Although the main site doesn’t open until noon, there’s a festival restaurant in the village which will be serving breakfast.
“There will also be a picnic area in the family zone, which will be a quieter place for families to eat together during the festival.”
Although caravan and camper van spaces have sold out, there are still tickets available for the camping and glamping sites.
Day passes are also available, and a shuttle bus service between the festival site and surrounding towns will be in operation.
For more information about tickets and camping, see: forestfest.ie/tickets/
Aerialist Polly Shapkina wowing crowds with Broken Theatre Circus, who will host interactive workshops and inviting participants to the Big Top stage at Forest Fest. For more information about tickets and camping, see: forestfest.ie/tickets/
Acrobats Pepe and Belen with Broken Theatre Circus, who will host interactive workshops and inviting participants to the Big Top stage at Forest Fest. For more information about tickets and camping, see: forestfest.ie/tickets/
Richard Kane clowning around with Broken Theatre Circus, who will host interactive workshops and inviting participants to the Big Top stage at Forest Fest. For more information about tickets and camping, see: forestfest.ie/tickets/
The Port Art Collective will host a full programme of activities throughout the weekend, including wood carving, poetry, painting and percussion classes, yoga and dance classes, and 3-D printing skills, as well as creating murals with families throughout the festival. For more information about tickets and camping, see: forestfest.ie/tickets/
