THIS years Durrow 'Howya Festival', Ireland's Festival of Friendships will this year play host to a unique competition when scarecrow makers from all over the country will test their creativity in Ireland's inaugural All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships.
With a total prize fund of €2000, competition is expected to be intense, and crows in short supply as scarecrow exhibits line-up along the streets of the picturesque village for judging. The festival which has been running since last weekend is now i
n its second year and is expecting a huge crowd to the village this bank holiday weekend.
The nine day Community Festival of Friendships supported by Laois Partnership Ltd, began on Sunday July 25 and will continue until August 2nd with a big line-up of events to suit all tastes.
These include a Jarvey tour to view the Scarecrows, a big family picnic on the Village Green with street entertainers, bouncy castles and face painting, a Duck Derby on the river Erkina, a Wild West Night at Bob's Saloon, a 10K Leafy Loop Walk, a country market day, a table quiz, a treasure hunt, hurling, soccer and polo tournaments and a nostalgia night.
Other festival highlights include an open air charity Dance-a-Long in association with Midlands 103FM and a big celebration for International Friendship Day with a free open air concert on the village green featuring Crystal Swing and supporting acts. Visit www.durrowvillage.com for more information.
Since it began last weekend, the festival has already celebrated International Parents Day with a family picnic on the village green, as well as a night of nostalgia for senior citizens. Tonight (Wednesday) sees the Durrow Duck Derby wind its way along the River Erkina, as well as a Wild West night in Bob's Saloon. People are encouraged to come dressed for the west, and to dance the night away to the bluegrass music of Woodbine.
Sports competitions which have been running throughout the week will continue on Thursday evening, with the festival hurling tournament for the John Cashin Memorial Cup and the festival pub soccer challenge for the Tommy Brophy Memorial Cup. These two tournaments will finish up on Monday evening, August 2.
Next weekend of course will be a busy one for the Durrow Howya Festival with a packed schedule of events from Friday evening. The Laois Walks Festival is incorporated into the evening's events, with 10k Leafy loop walk beginning at 7.30pm. Those with brains to burn can get down to Dec's Bar on Friday night for the Answer for Ireland table quiz.
Saturday afternoon sees the festivities back in the Square for the day, with an open air country market form 10am to 2pm, and a treasure hunt for young and old beginning from 3pm. Midlands 103 will also be broadcasting live from the village that afternoon.
Sunday is a big day for the Howya Festival as it is International Friendship Day. From 2pm everyone is welcome to join in a Dance Around the Green hosted by Midlands 103 presenter Anne Marie Kelly, with proceeds going towards the Cuisle Centre.
Children will be kept entertained with a comedy, magic and music show, while the Jarvey tour will be travelling throughout the village giving onlookers one last opportunity to see the scarecrows. A concert will be taking place on the Green on Sunday afternoon from 4pm, with Young Voice of Laois winner Dylan Kerr performing as well as Crystal Swing.
The festivities will continue well into the evening with a Juvenile Canoe Regatta on the River Erkina and a draw for the monster festival hamper. The pubs will be hosting a festival trail throughout the weekend, with performances from Na Fianna and Out of Diesel. For more information, updates and the festival line up, visit www.durrowvillage.com.
