Crowds set to flock to Laois as Durrow Scarecrow Festival returns
The poor aul Laois crows will be scared out of their wits next week thanks to the return of the beloved week long Durrow Scarecrow Festival.
The community run festival is a huge affair with events both free and ticketed to choose from.
It kicks off on Sunday, July 30 at 11am to the strains of Durrow & District Pipe Band, followed by a day of live music, circus entertainers, laser tag, archery, puppets and even dog obedience.
For a whole week until Bank Holiday Monday evening August 7, the streets will be displaying hundreds of scarecrows big and small, crafty and funny, all vying for prizes.
There will be live music each day, craft demonstrations children's cookery classes, lego and slime workshops. There is a food and craft fair on the weekends with some stalls all week long, as well as kayaking lessons at €10 on the River in the village.
A daily Where's Wally scarecrow hunt offers a prize for whover finds it and posts a photo using #DSFWally.
The Scarecrow Village enclosure offers children's entertainment with an entry fee of €1 for children, €5 for adults.
Also for smallies is the Scarecrow Summer Camp, daily from 10am to 1pm, for children aged 5 to 12. Book on Eventbrite.
A FunKy Zone has Europe's Largest Mega Slide, a maze, pet farm, giant jenga and more, at €3 adults, €1 chilldren.
Entrants to the All Ireland Scarecrow Championship have until July 26 to fill the form and must have their scarecrow in place by July 29.
There is also a chance to win tickets to the festival with promotional competitions throughout July on their social media pages.
It will be style instead of straw on Ladies Night in the gorgeous Castle Durrow at 7pm on Tuesday, August 1.
The evening includes a fashion show, a three course meal with wine, special guest, DJ and entertainment till late with tickets almost sold out.
A Caws for Concern at 2.30pm on Thursday August 3 is a 90 minute sustainable fashion creative workshop by Spooky Beore, followed by an eco fashion show by the participants in the Scarecrow Village at 5pm.
On Monday, August 7 Senator David Norris will attend the official unveiling of a plaque to commemorate Saint Benedict of Durrow, Ireland's only Pope who held the position for just a day in the year 522 after which he decided it wasn't for him.
Evelyn Clancy is chairperson of the committee.
“We continue to be overwhelmed by the growing success each year. we have a long list of volunteers how give their time for months to bring what we feel is a fun filled family friendly event.
“All the profits are reinvested back into the community. Our flagship project at this time is match funding for building our community centre. It will be of huge benefit to all the organisations in the area.
“So once again we invite you to enjoy nine days of uninhibited imagination, music and fun,” she said.
The winning scarecrows will be announced at 5pm on Sunday, with cash prizes. Follow the festival on social media, tag them #DSF23 in your photos, and see website durrowscarecrowfestival.com