The biggest May Bank Holiday weekend festival, Limerick’s 10th annual Riverfest, wound down today with organisers expressing their delight as the four-day programme surpassed all expectations.
An estimated 80,000 people attended the exciting programme of 30 plus events that ran across the city from Friday through today, some 30,000 more than expected.
Businesses were reporting their best ever weekend in Limerick as Riverfest generated an income way beyond the €5.5m anticipated.
The festival wound down this afternoon with an open air concert with Sharon Shannon and friends at Arthur’s Quay attracting large crowds.
CEO of the Limerick Marketing Company, which markets and promotes the festival, Eoghan Prendergast said that this year’s Riverfest was a watershed for the festival.
“We were expecting upwards of 50,000 people to attend but the numbers attending went way beyond that, with an estimated 80,000 people attending.
“Riverfest’s reputation is growing and it is now most definitely on the map as a major festival for the nation, the first one of the summer season, and not just one for Limerick people. We had huge numbers coming in from all across the country and, indeed, internationally and this was very noticeable on the streets and in the bars and restaurants over the weekend.
“A huge amount of work has gone into building up Riverfest over the past ten years and this weekend it crystalized into probably the busiest weekend ever for the city. It’s clearly helping to spread the word about Limerick as a fun place to visit. We have had excellent feedback from visitors and that’s ultimately what we want; people coming to experience Limerick and leaving with a really positive impression of the city.”
The family fun festival was an exciting mix of festivities and events ranging from Saturday’s Coors Light Riverfest Barbecue - Ireland’s biggest annual barbecue competition with teams flying in from the US and UK to participate and with celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna on board – to the Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run yesterday, which attracted 12,000 participants and well over 30,000 spectators.
The event warmed up with the biggest children’s race of the year in Ireland with 2,000 participating in the event at UL.
The entire weekend had a strong family flavour to it, with activities for all ages, including a mobile planetarium for children, which explores geography, geology, science and astronomy in a fun and interactive way, among other elements.
Other major events at Riverfest included Fashion Friday, the outdoor (Thomas Street) fashion show extravaganza run by Ireland’s first lady of fashion Celia Holman Lee; the Continental Fair of European artisan food producers and a spectacular aerial dance performance by Fidget Feet.
The Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday attracted thousands along the banks of the River Shannon, while large numbers also turned out for the Soap Box Derby, Limerick Craft Fair and the Bartender’s Run.
Another major hit this year was the Live at the Big Top concert with acclaimed Limerick act Hermitage Green headlining in a triple bill with The Riptide Movement and Gavin James on Sunday when the iconic Milk Market heaved with a packed attendance as it was transformed into a major concert venue for one night only.
