Tens of thousands of people flocked to Limerick over the May Bank Holiday weekend for Riverfest 2017, the city’s biggest ever summer festival.
Riverfest 2017 attracted more than 40,000 people to the city over the weekend, soaking up the electric atmosphere and watching the impressive events on display.
The highlights of the weekend included:
- A spectacular fireworks display on Sunday night
- Amazing acrobatic stunts and skills by some of the world’s best jet and wakeboarders
- Free Zipline over the River Shannon
- BBQ skills on show at Riverfest BBQ Competition
World Champion jetboarders Scotty Knemeyer and Bo Krook were two of the stand out stars of Riverfest 2017 as they thrilled the crowds with unbelievable displays in the water as part of the Maldron Hotel Riverfest on the Shannon.
They wowed the spectators as they performed dolphin dives, backflips and barrel rolls, all while seemingly floating in the air above the water.
The Riverfestival Village at Arthur’s Quay Park proved a treat for all the family, with food and craft stalls, music and fun and vintage amusements and rides keeping everyone entertained.
Only the truly adventurous and fearless tried the new Zipline out over the water from Arthur’s Quay to Honan’s Quay. Climbing high around 40 feet above the village, being harnessed onto a wire, there were shrieks of terror from some as they zoomed through the air to the other side before safely landing on the ground.
The Riverest BBQ Competition found a new home along the River Shannon Boardwalk at Harvey’s Quay, where teams cooked food for the crowds of people to sample.
The team from New Road Clinic, headed by Patrick O’Sullivan was crowned overall winners of Limerick’s Riverfest BBQ competition. They won a cash prize of €400 and will now go on to represent Ireland at the World BBQ Association European Championships which take place later in the year.
A spectacular fireworks display lit up the night sky on Sunday as thousands of people lined the quays getting the best vantage points for the show. An added attraction this year before the fireworks was an LED water display with jetboarders and jetskiers performing tricks and stunts, keeping the crowds entertained before the fireworks exploded high over the city.
Earlier in the day, around 12,000 runners participated in the Barringtons Hospital Great Limerick Run, a six mile, half marathon, marathon and team relay event which took in many of the historical and scenic sights across Limerick.
The Run featured entries from all over Ireland and abroad with musical acts from marching bands, gospel choirs, traditional music and DJs entertaining participants along the route.
Meanwhile thousands of children took part in their own event, the UL Sport Kids Run organised by the Barrington’s Hospital Great Limerick Run on Saturday.
Fantastic fringe events also took place across the city and county over the May Bank Holiday weekend including comedy, theatre, and music gigs, adding to the festival atmosphere of Riverfest 2017.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Kieran O’Hanlon said: “Riverfest proves every year that Limerick is a fantastic festival location. The entire city was buzzing with everyone enjoying themselves.”
“Riverfest has proven to be the biggest attraction in the country for the May Bank Holiday weekend, with people from all over the country visiting. This year’s event was the biggest and best ever and I would like to thank all those who have contributed to its success.”
“Riverfest, year after year, proves that Limerick can host festivals of this size and the massive crowds attending show there is a huge appetite for such events here in Limerick.”
“2017 saw the 13th edition of Riverfest and it is only going from strength to strength,” the Mayor added.
Riverfest is run on behalf of Limerick City and County Council by Grooveyard.
Riverfest 2017 sponsors include: Failte Ireland, The Maldron Hotel, Limerick; Mr Binman; Limerick’s Live95FM; Limerick Post; Limerick Leader and Arthur’s Quay.
Logon on to www.riverfest.ie for more details or find us on Facebook; Twitter @riverfestlmk; Instagram @riverfestlimerick. #Riverfest
