Tallafest has finally arrived with a family-fun packed programme

By Mary Dennehy

TALLAFEST has finally arrived and will this Saturday, September 10, take to Tallaght Village with a packed programme of fun activities, arts, culture, history, nature, music and sport.

Organised by Tallaght Community Council (TCC), with the help of local volunteers and business, Tallafest is a free celebration of all things Tallaght – both past and present.

The festival’s opening ceremony will kick off from IT Tallaght at 12.15pm, with the parade featuring the Mayor of South Dublin County, Guss O’ Connell, the Viking Drumming Corps, the Sonna Samba band, a number of transplant athletes, St Martin’s Twirlers, tractor-riding Tallaght farmer Donie Anderson and vintage cars from Dennings.

Any child who would like to be a balloon mascot is invited to meet at the main gates to the Priory at 12noon and check-in with volunteers.

After the opening ceremony, some of the highlights expected on the day include Wooly Wards Farm and Ravan Haven Avaries, which will be on site to host an informative meet-and-greet with farm animals and birds.

The private gardens at St Mary’s Priory will also be open to families for a guided nature walk at 4pm while in St Maelruain’s Church a poetry session will be staged at 1pm and a history talk, Echoes of 1916, at 3pm.

Firm favourites such as a the fire brigade and Civil Defence displays, vintage cars, the giant sandbox, imaginative play area, scout camp, story-telling, face-painting, balloon modelling and kids and adult craft workshops are all back on the programme – with Tallaght talent also on show as local acts including Esquisite Dance, Tallaght Choral Society, South Dublin Dance Academy, Luke Clerkin, Level Heads and Bipolar Empire take to the stage.

From bake-offs to live music, fun events to market stalls, there’s something for everybody at Tallafest this year.

All events and activities at Tallafest are free and for further information on the festival, which runs from 12pm to 5pm in Tallaght Village this Saturday, September 10, visit the Tallafest Facebook page or www.tallafest.ie