New Parade Route For 20Th Spraoi

Wednesday, 18th July 2012

SPRAOI will celebrate 20 years of cheers with a massive street festival extravaganza over the August Bank Holiday weekend that this year celebrates the return of the night time parade and a free gig by The Saw Doctors.

The festival has gone full circle this year with the presence of The Saw Doctors, who played the festival 20 years ago return to headline the 'Maxol Plaza Stage', at William Vincent Wallace Plaza. The festival, which features local and international acts along with the company's self-produced annual Spraoi Parade, is in the final stages of planning a weekend that promises to literally "light up" the lives of the public.

This year's Spraoi Parade, entitled Light of My Life, is currently under construction at Spraoi Studios. It is a return to the night time parade for the first time in three years

Light of My Life, which begins at 10pm on Saturday, August 5th, will feature over 200 costumed performers; illuminated floats, live music and lighting and special effects. The parade takes a new route this year, beginning at the Johnstown; progressing along Parnell Street, The Mall,

Lombard Street, William Street and finishing at Waterpark School on Park Road.

Street theatre and music acts will begin in the mid-afternoons and run on into the nights over the three days of the festival.

The electrifying act will see the city's streets pulsate with raw passion, while other acts to light up the lives of those in attendance at this quayside venue include local acts Solar Taxi, Gypsy Swing, Fighting Spiders and Kodakid.

On the Saturday night big jazz band Ocus Pocus will team up with Voice of Ireland finalist, Waterford 's Richie Hayes.

Also on the Saturday, at the New Irish Music Stage at the Courthouse on Catherine Street; acts such as The Dead Heavy's, Cassanova Wave and the artist Jeremy Hickey – aka Rarely Seen Above Ground – will boast of all that is great about

Ireland's music scene.

The Mad Hatters, Torann, and the Spraoi Junior Drummers will put the beat back into the feet on the streets with rhythmic aplomb.

Street acts include Mario Queen of the Circus, The Pigeon Chaser, Mr Marcus, The Strongman, La Cuisine Macabre and El Diablo.

Other events of interest include the ever-popular Luminarium, an 80-metre labyrinth at the People's Park, where one can lose, or perhaps find, oneself.

A Giant Chess Board and some Crazy Golf will also feature at the park on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons, while a Monster Mural on Broad Street and at the park also (see programme) will also help to keep the little ones entertained.

A spectaculor firework display will light up the skies over the River Suir at the finale of the festival on the festival Sunday evening.