Spraoi in the Park

July 2nd to 4th 2010

A hugely successful three day long event based in and around the People's Park in Waterford City, Spraoi in the Park which took place in early July.  This wonderful 19th century public park, located at the junction of William Street and the Park Road, was the setting for “Spraoi in the Park”, a blend of music, street theatre, workshops, installations and cinema.  Thanks to all the acts, bands, companies, groups, volunteers, crew and cast of "Flights of Fantasy" for their wonderful contribution to the major success story that was Spraoi in the Park 2010:.

The 2010 Spraoi Parade “Flights of Fantasy” on Sunday afternoon, July 4th, at 3pm, was the undoubted highlight of the event, attracting over 30,000 onto the route on Sunday. But there was plenty other attractions on offer too.

Spraoi in the Park featured a Big Top, hosting puppet shows and "The Big Top Cinema".  Movies included the ever popular The Wizard of Oz, which sold out, Monty Pythons Life of Brian, and on Sunday evening there was a very special showing of the classic 1927 silent movie The General, with a specially commissioned live music score by Rob O'Connor which received a standing ovation.  

Music played a big part in the overall event, and the line-up on Saturday and Sunday included Opus Pocus, Hollerin Pine, Chimpanbee, The Springsteens, The Jam Tarts, Tupelo and The Raindogs.

Spraoi's art installation "Me in the Park" was a huge success and ran out of pictures to paint on Sunday.  The Institute of Physics were present in the Park throughout Saturday and Sunday with “Physics in the Field”, Animal Magic hosted demonstrations of live animals and reptiles and was hugely popular, and The Storytelling Caravan features storytelling with Melissa Baker for younger children proved a major attraction.  Waterford GAA Coaching and Games presented “Play Away” on the racetrack, hurling for fun for boys and girls on Saturday, and got dozens of kids involved, some playing the game for the first time.