Spraoi's 20th Birthday celebration an unforgettable weekend

Wednesday, 1st August 2012

THERE may be a Man in the Moon but 200 costumed performers on the streets of Waterford with live music along with lighting and special effects promises to make Spraoi's 20th Birthday celebration an unforgettable weekend.

Sparoi will celebrate 20 years in the entertainment business this Bank Holiday Saturday evening in a parade entitled "Light of My Life", celebrating both aspects of life in the light and shade.

Tens of thousands are expected to flock to the city over this bank holiday weekend for the celebrations. Spraoi has this week issued notices to the public to help ensure an enjoyable weekend for all.

The parade takes a new route this year, beginning at the Johnstown Industrial Centre; progressing along Johnstown, Parnell Street, The Mall, Lombard Street, William Street and finishing at Waterpark School on Park Road.

It is a return to the night time parade for the first time in three years.

The countdown is on for the festival, which will feature local and international acts on the city's streets and pubs this bank holiday weekend.

The dedicated Spraoi crew are this week putting the finishing touches to the parade's floats, while the directors, performers and crew are in rehearsals for what promises to be one of the biggest and brightest parades to date.

The festival this year celebrates the return of the night time parade with a free gig by The Saw Doctors.

The Saw Doctors, who played the festival 20 years ago, will be on hand to spur conventional medicine by actually raising temperatures at the "Maxol Plaza Stage" on the William Vincent Wallace Plaza.

Light of my Life is a celebration of both light and darkness as Spraoi refracts light through its unique creative prism to reveal the beauty of the colours within.

From tranquil blue to passionate red, each colour will reveal its innermost secrets as they bring their stories to the night-time streets.

However, the light will not have it all its own way; the darkness is always waiting in the wings, in the very shadows. Illuminated greenhouses and blue moons will bathe the city streets in light and colour but the darkness is always lurking – its goal is to end the celebrations and return the city to shadow.

Spraoi is urging people to come towards the light this weekend to join them for a spectacular evening on the city's streets.

However, the street theatre company would like to remind the public that traffic diversions and restrictions will occur as the parade moves along the route.

In a statement, the company advised that parking restrictions will be in place from 7am on Saturday, with no parking on John Street, Parnell Street and The Mall.

No parking will be obviously allowed on the parade route, and motorists are urged to leave the car behind, said the statement.

Those who decide to drive in are asked to park well away from the parade route and walk to a chosen viewing spot.

Three fixed ambulance points are along the route, while stewards will guide revellers to any of these if required, it emerged.

A specially cordoned off viewing area for the physically disabled and those with special needs will be in place beside the Bishop's Palace at the top of Colbeck Street.

Situations involving lost children are asked to go to the nearest steward, who will contact the Spraoi's Child Welfare Officers.

The company has asked the public to "please follow any directions given by our stewards, as they are there in a voluntary capacity for the safety of both the audience and the performers".

Other highlights on Spraoi Saturday night include big jazz band Ocus Pocus, who will team up with Voice of Ireland finalist, Waterford's Richie Hayes.

The Mad Hatters, Torann, and the Spraoi Junior Drummers will pound the public's ears into a state of aural bliss.

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

Other events of interest include the ever-popular Luminarium, an 80-metre labyrinth at the People's Park.

Once again this year. Spraoi in association with Carlsberg brings a hugely varied programme of national and international bands to the pubs, clubs and hotels of Waterford City Centre over the three days of the festival.

A spectaculor firework display will light up the skies over the River Suir on the festival Sunday evening, along with the thousands of spectating faces.