‘Crafty’ residents urged to put skills to use at Tallafest

By Mary Dennehy

WITH just over two weeks to go until community celebration Tallafest, crafty residents are encouraged to put their skills to the test by taking part in a range of free crafts and competitions.

This year, the Civic Theatre and its neighbours Rua Red will stage a pop-up activity centre, which will not only provide hours of entertainment for younger residents but highlight the well-established, community-based culture hub in Tallaght.

When Tallafest pitches tent in Tallaght village on Saturday, September 10, Rua Red will be hosting free craft workshops all day – which will see art facilitators show kids how to make badges and other paper crafts.

The Civic Theatre will also have Wiggles the Witch from its Christmas Panto, Duckula, onsite to meet festival-goers – and to help promote a Tallafest competition which will see one lucky person win a family pass to The Civic’s Christmas panto or a free month’s family cinema club membership for Rua Red.

Staff from both the Civic Theatre and the Rua Red county arts centre will also be on hand to talk with visitors about both centres’ winter programmes, which offer something for the whole family.

Other competitions on the day will include Tallafest’s popular bake-off, which is organised by Tallaght company Peacock Events, and a new plastic bottle upcycle challenge.

Alongside crafts, Tallafest will also boast cultural and heritage events, sports, nature activities, imaginative play, art classes with Don Conroy, a farmyard area, craft market, food stalls, a live music stage, magic and more.

Organised by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), with support from an army of local volunteers, Tallafest will be staged in Tallaght Village on September 10 from 12pm to 5pm.

To register for some of the competition, visit www.tallafest.ie