Fantastic Weekend Of Food And Fun At Tralee Food Festival

WITH less than two weeks to go, excitement is building for the much-anticipated Tralee Food Festival, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17.

The festival continues to grow as a vibrant celebration of local food, community spirit and creativity, with the current committee now in its fourth year of involvement. The event promises a packed weekend of free entertainment, family fun and culinary excellence.

A highlight of this year’s programme includes a lively cook-off featuring social media stars Doireann O’Connor and her father Charlie, taking place at 3pm on Sunday in the demo tent in the town square.

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Expect plenty of laughter, some questionable cooking and entertainment, with Chef Max Bagaglini keeping the action in check.

The festival also proudly hosts the Schools Cook-Off Competition on Saturday from 2pm, featuring teams from Presentation Tralee, Mercy Mounthawk, Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí and Causeway Comprehensive, judged by comedian and múinteoir Julie Jay.

Families can enjoy a wide range of children’s activities throughout the weekend, including sensory workshops, a funfair, puppet shows, a Children’s Disco and a Calm & Creative Corner hosted by Kosycubs for children of all abilities.

Street entertainment from Pots and Pans clowns will add to the festive atmosphere and Lee Strand’s Mighty Mikey Milk will also be around keeping children entertained.

Music lovers can look forward to a diverse lineup of free live performances, from traditional Irish music to jazz, drumming and even salsa dancing workshops.

A special highlight is “Trad and Treats” with the Michael O’Brien Band, taking place on the Sound Bite Stage in the Abbey Car Park at 7pm on Saturday evening.

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The Taste Trail, a key feature of the festival, invites visitors to sample a wide range of offerings from local restaurants and bars.

Supported by Cara Credit Union, Taste Trail tokens are available in bundles of four for €18, with participating venues offering tasting portions for one or two tokens.

“We are delighted to partner with Tralee Food Festival as the official Taste Trail sponsor,” said Pa Laide, CEO of Cara Credit Union. “As a community-based credit union, we are committed to supporting local businesses and promoting economic growth in the area. This festival provides a fantastic platform to showcase the very best of local food and drink and we are proud to be involved.”

This year’s festival will also shine a spotlight on the businesses that make Tralee’s food scene so special. Supported by Entára Group, three award categories will recognise excellence across the weekend: Best Restaurant, Best Stall/Vendor, and Best Shopfront.

A distinguished judging panel will be on hand throughout the weekend, including renowned chef Max Bagaglini of Convivium, Councillor Mikey Sheehy and multimedia presenter Jamie Ó Flannúra.

Judges will visit stalls, explore the Taste Trail, and assess shopfront displays, encouraging businesses to bring their creativity and showcase their best.

Ken Tobin from the Tralee Food Festival Committee is calling on local businesses to get involved: “We’re inviting all businesses, especially shops, to bring a splash of colour to their windows and shopfronts and embrace the fun of the festival. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vibrant spirit of our town and create a welcoming atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.”

Food remains at the heart of the festival, with a bustling market featuring vendors offering everything from Texas BBQ to Asian and Latin street food, artisan coffees and whiskey tasting experiences.

Additional attractions include a vintage clothing market in McCaffrey’s Bar and a comedy taster from Ronan Grace.

In a community-focused initiative, all funds raised through recyclable cans and bottles collected in Re-Turn bins will be donated to Meals on Wheels Tralee.

Festival committee member Mary McQuinn said; “It’s been incredible to watch the festival grow into a weekend that people now look forward to and plan around each year. We love being involved in bringing it to life and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of our local sponsors -especially Kerry County Council. With all workshops, demos and music completely free, we hope everyone comes out, enjoys the weekend and supports our fantastic local businesses.”

John McCarthy added: “The Tralee Food Festival is a fantastic showcase of what makes this town so special, from its incredible food offering to its strong sense of community. It’s a weekend that brings people together, supports local enterprise and creates a real buzz throughout Tralee.”

For more information follow on social media or visit https://traleefoodfestival.com/