Music lovers and foodies invited to festival picnic

MAYOR of Waterford Cllr Mary Roche has invited foodies, music lovers and the public in general to a picnic this weekend, as part of the city’s Harvest Festival.

The Picnic in the Park, a family-friendly and free event at The People’s Park tomorrow, is one of numerous events on offer during the Waterford Harvest Festival which starts tomorrow and continues until September 19 in the city.

The picnic will include children’s workshops on African drumming, sports, crafts and “theatrical fun”.

The HSE will also be on-hand to encourage “traditional playground games”.

And patrons can also feast on musical entertainment served up by the likes of Cathy Davey, Gerry Fish, Tucan and Lisa Hannigan at the city’s [south] Quay at the Big Street Party.

Meanwhile, items on the “main menu” include a historical feast at Waterford Castle tomorrow evening.

Also on the quay on Sunday, from 11am until 6pm, one of the biggest markets in the country featuring food producers from the 32 counties will make for some “Amazing Grazing”.

The following Saturday, Déise Day at the festival, will see the “joys of rural life” in the heart of the city. Anybody who ever wondered what a pig’s trotter would taste like in Waterford’s indigenous floury bap, known as a Blaa, will surely satisfy their curiosity along with their appetite.

Ms Roche, in her blog yesterday, said: “I sincerely hope the good people of Waterford and the south-east will come out and enjoy everything that we are working so hard to put in place for their delight and delectation – to coin a phrase. Waterford’s arts and cultural scene is hopping at the moment and is the envy of many other places, [so] let’s support it and make sure it stays vibrant and indeed continues to strengthen and grow.”