OK, the Rose of Tralee International Festival is finally upon us and there’s loads of stuff to do today. Let’s just look at some things you can get up to…
5o Years of Rose Fashion
’50 Years of Fashion’ curator Rebecca Kemp next to one of the dresses that will be on display in the Ashe Memorial Hall. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Where? Kerry County Museum
When? 9am – 5pm
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Festival back in 2009, an exhibition of dresses worn by winning Roses was launched.
There are 35 dresses in the collection and it has become a very popular addition to the festival’s events.
“People associate a Rose with the dress so when one sees the collection, it brings back loads of memories for them of previous festival,” said Rebecca Kemp.
Rose of Tralee Memorabilia Exhibition
Where? Tralee Library
When? 9am – 5pm
The Kerryman and Tralee Library joined forces for this exhibition that exhibits memorabilia, ranging from photographs of past Rose festivals to tiaras worn by winning Roses.
Putting the exhibit together, staff at the library took on the exhaustive process of going through old copies of the Kerryman and picking out articles that they thought would be of particular interest.
The idea being to create a montage of highlights of the festival down though the years. Pictures of winning Roses surround the room which creates a sense of history.
Continued below…
Marita Corcoran and Matthew Brennan of Kerry County Library at the Rose of Tralee Memorabilia Exhibition which runs all week. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Festival of Food and Craft Market
Where? Town Centre/Denny Street
When? 9am – 9pm
One the main factors that brings that festival vibe is the street stalls that line the centre of town.
If you’d like to grab something to eat there should be plenty there to tickle your tastebuds. From hot-dogs to paella, to cookies and candyfloss, you should be able to grab it here.
Continued below…
Family Town
Where? Pearse Park
When? 12pm – 6pm
Pearse Park, just opposite the Ashe Memorial Hall, will be choc-full of events for all the family all this week.
Some of these include, Face Painting, Balloon Modelling, Art Attack, Cheeky Chalk, Water Walkers, Fun Races, Giant Bubble Throwing and much more.
Events differ throughout the day so look out for what’s on in the festival programme (click here).
Birds Amusements
Where? Town Centre
When? 3pm – 11pm
For many ‘The Bazaar’ is the highlight of the festival and the place of that holds so many memories for people who grew up in the town.
Thankfully in the last few years Birds Amusements has made its way back to its spiritual home at Parklands and just opposite the Brandon Hotel. It just wasn’t the same outside of the centre of town.
Union J – Live
Where? Denny Street
When? Gates open at 7pm
The headline for this year’s festival is the absolutely huge boyband, Union J. They will bring with them plenty of star quality along with hoards of screaming teenage girls.
You might want to bring earplugs for this, because it could get loud.
