Foxford’s Riverfest has the best of free entertainment
Participants in the evening parade at Foxford's Riverfest.
The Riverfest team in Foxford is excited to announce details for its 11th festival, to be held on Friday and Saturday next, August 22nd and 23rd.
Each festival builds on experience and ideas from previous years and this year is going to be as amazing as ever!
In 2024, Riverfest celebrated 10 years with a big final party. For its 11th event, the Riverfest team is aiming to put on 11 bands in 11 hours, all free and all live!
Market Square in Foxford is the only place to be in August in Mayo for the very best of free entertainment and fun.
This year Riverfest has also got a real push on the children’s entertainment, with its spruced up marquees in the grounds of the Church of Ireland in the heart of Foxford filled with the most amazing and captivating fun and games. It should be a great break for the adults too!
Riverfest commences on Friday evening, August 22nd, with the famous Candles to the Sea. Shops and businesses around the town will have labels available the week before for people to write a message about a loved one who has passed. These will be collected and burnt with candles which are released upstream of the town by some of the local fishermen to drift downstream under Foxford’s famous bridge, providing a spectacle to both honour and celebrate the life of those we have loved.
The event will start as always with music from the Foxford Brass and Reed Band, followed by blessings from local clergy. As the candles are released, there will be music from Seoda, winners of Siansa Gael Linn with recent performances on RTÉ, TG4 and Radio na Gaeltachta.
On Saturday, August 22nd, after a manic few hours building a stage (a million thanks to Mick Smyth and his Mayo Arts Squad team), assembling the stalls and gazebos (thanks to Old Salt and Foxford Pharmacy for sponsoring), Riverfest gets underway at 12 noon with crafts, food, music and children’s entertainment.
This year there is also promised a visit from Swinford Fire Service, with real fires (and demos putting them out, we hope!)
The Music in the Square will cover everything from Ballads to Rock, Trad to Jazz from 12 noon to 11pm, finishing with the after party in Cruisers Bar. The planned running list (it will change!) is: 12 to 12:30pm - Foxford Brass & Reed Band; 12.45 to 1.30pm - Ethan, McHenry and the Dog Roses; 1.45 to 2.30pm - Dennis McCalmont; 2.45 to 3.30pm - Mark McHale; 3.50 to 4.50pm - Jazz Bandits; 5.10 to 5.45pm - Glór na Sí; 6.15 to 7pm - RiverRatz; 7.15 to 8pm - Looks like Rain; 8.15 to 9pm - Muddy Hawks; 9.15 to 9.45pm - Our own drummers leading our amazing parade; 9.45 to 10.30pm - Futures Past; 11pm to late - RiverRatz at the after-party in Cruisers Pub.
The parade at 9.15pm is becoming another favourite fixture in Riverfest. In the weeks leading up to the event, Riverfest hold several drumming workshops led by Anthony McNamee with volunteers learning how to bang their own drum while there are also several lantern making workshops. These come together along with the fantastic lanterns and costumes made by Mick Smyth and his Mayo Arts Squad team to provide a spell-binding spectacle of light, movement and sound as participants weave through the town. It is not to be missed!
Angling has always been a key part of Riverfest. Saturday on the river there are both adult and junior competitions, as well as fly-tying, entomology and 'Match the Catch' at the Moy Hotel.
Riverfest also hope to have the popular fishing simulator on the open deck at the back of the hotel!
On Sunday, there will be the Open Spey competition, hopefully below the bridge.
While the music plays, browse the many stalls at the Square. Riverfest try and pick quality, skillful crafters so what you see will be mostly handmade and unique. Buy a present for that special person!
As well as food stalls, Riverfest will also have its Vintage Tea Room set up in Cruiser’s Bar. Brigid and her team will be baking late into the night to provide yummy cakes and refreshing teas. Donations always welcome!
Little Top Stars: Get ready for interactive circus skills and giant bubble fun like you’ve never seen before. Blow, chase, and pop your way through clouds of bubbles, then learn how to make your own!
Try your hand at diabolos, spinning plates, and more with the fun-filled circus games.
Giggles Drama: make and display puppets – lots of little puppets for lots of little hands!
Pool Noodles (what – with no pool?): yes, turn pool noodle into your own hobby horse and name and race it with your friends!
And not forgetting the teenagers, there is the Riverfest Treasure Hunt - unscramble the mystery word to claim your prize.
A special mention to the local Gardai who provide amazing support, especially during the Candles event on Friday night and during the busy Saturday afternoon. Thanks also to River Rescue for their support during the Candles event, and St John’s Ambulance who will be on hand on Saturday.
The Riverfest team will also have radios with them this year to help coordinate activities and deal promptly with any issues.
Its all free! But still costs us to put on with entertainers to pay, insurance, equipment, publicity etc. So many thanks to all who have donated funds, especially local people and businesses. Thanks to those who came to the Riverfest Pub Quiz, and to those who dropped a few pennies in the fundraising buckets.
Still this year Riverfest is not breaking even so far, so if you can spare a dime please do head over to the Riverfest page on iDonate.
