THOSE who aren't travelling away this weekend will have plenty to keep them occupied as towns across the county are preparing for a number of festivals for the August Bank Holiday weekend.
One of the most popular weekends for summer events, the next few days feature events throughout the country, but closer to home three major festivals are taking place, with the Stradbally Steam Rally, the Durrow Howya Festival and the Magnet Festival
in Portlaoise.
The Stradbally Steam Rally celebrates its 46th year this year and promises to be bigger and better than ever, running on Sunday August 1 and Monday August 2. Gates will be open to the public from 10am this Sunday morning and weather permitting, a number of competitions will be held over the two days including the Irish Pony Club competition for the Cosby Cup, the slow steam race, the Queen of Steam competition and the Beer in the Bucket competition.
Those who come along can also enjoy steam threashing, stone crushing, a mobile pet farm, sheep dog trials, a display of vintage Model T Ford cars, the steam train, a carnival, helicopter rides and much more. As well as this there will be plenty of entertainment in Stradbally all weekend. This festival is one of the most popular and anticipated in the county and large crowds are expected.
The Durrow Howya Festival continues throughout the weekend with plenty of festivities planned to bring friends, family and the community together. The All Ireland Scarecrow championships are one of the main attractions of the weekend, with jarvey rides planned throughout the village to see the scarecrows on display.
Sports tournaments and theme nights have been taking place in Durrow throughout the week, but there is still plenty to do, with a duck derby and a wild west night planned for this evening.
Saturday and Sunday evening will see the village green packed from early morning with an open air country market, a treasure hunt and much more on Saturday afternoon, while Sunday marks the International Day of Friendships. To celebrate, organisers are hosting a Dance Around the Green, hosted by Midlands 103 DJ Anne Marie Kelly, with proceeds going to Cuisle.
There will also be plenty of music to keep the masses entertained, with performances by the Young Voice of Laois winner Dylan Kerr, as well as Crystal Swing from 4pm.
The Magnet Festival will take place in Portlaoise this weekend alongside the Irish Karaoke Championships. The karaoke championships will be held in the Portlaoise Heritage Hotel with the womens' competition on Saturday and the mens' performances on Sunday evening. There are also lots of activities planned for the Plaza at County Hall, with a flash mob in aid of To Russia With Love on Saturday afternoon, and plenty of stalls, crafts, foods and music to keep the crowds happy throughout the weekend.
The Magnet Festival will be launched this Friday night in Grellan Delaney's and budding singers still have a chance to enter into the karaoke competition, with open auditions taking place in the pub that night.
