The festival that’s outstanding in its field, the Durrow Scarecrow Festival, is back for a ninth year from July 29th to August 6th 2018. Scarecrows all over Ireland and beyond are licking their lips in anticipation for what has become one of the most popular festivals in the country.

We can’t wait and once again, we welcome you all to Durrow to enjoy with us, a week of uninhibited imagination, creativity, music, food and fun and above all else the scarecrows who turn up with your laughter in mind. The festival can only happen with the help and support of our sponsors and volunteers and as always we would like to thank them for everything they do. Take a bow!

Teen Zone: Bookings for the designated Teen Zone at the Scarecrow Festival which includes, Teen Hair, Makeup, Kayaking, Archery and Laser Wars is filling up fast. This zone is strictly reserved for 13 to 17 years and pre-booking is required on (086) 6079069, spaces are limited and early booking is advised. Back by popular demand for this year is the Pre-Teen Zone for Hair, ages 10 to 12 also has limited spaces left, please also book through (086) 6079069.

Arts and Crafts Exhibition: The Arts and Crafts Exhibition is one of the hidden gems of the festival and runs every year in conjunction with the event. Located in the Durrow Community Centre, situated opposite the Church on the road out of town towards Kilkenny, this annual exhibition and sale is a great opportunity to view work by local crafts people and artists.
The craftsmanship on display includes knitwear, pottery, and woodturning and the artwork exhibition shows off some of the best in photography, oils and acrylics. The annual Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Sale, will run from Sunday 29th July to Monday 6th August inclusive daily from 11am to 6pm. It is well worth a visit. Admission €2 with under 16s FREE!

Photography Competition: The Arts and Crafts Exhibition also incorporates the annual Photography Competition which is always a big event. This competition has a Junior and Senior category. The entry fees are Senior €8 and Juvenile (U16) €5. Print size for both competitions; Standard size to Maximum 12” x 10”. Entry Dates: Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st July from 3pm to 6pm both days in Durrow Community Centre. Maximum of three photos per entry. For more info contact Andrew Walsh (086) 3791904.

Round-Bale Competition: Limited spaces remain for people to enter the Round Hay Bale Competition (we also have Black and Pink Wrapped Bales if you are thinking of doing something along those lines). Bales are provided by the festival and can be decorated between now and Sunday (29th) afternoon. See: www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com/round-hay-bale-competition for full details or just give a call to these phone numbers for info or to book a bale: (087) 2319393 and (086) 8320139. Many thanks!

Appeal for Stewards: Stewards are urgently required for the upcoming Scarecrow Festival. We need stewards for Sunday 29th July, Thursday August 2nd, Friday August 3rd, Saturday August 4th, Sunday August 5th and Monday August 6th. If you can cover an hour or two on one or some of those days it would be most appreciated. All stewards are invited to the post-Scarecrow Festival get together on Monday evening, August 6th after 7pm in the Scarecrow Village for food, treats and refreshments as a token of our appreciation. If you are able to give time to this urgent appeal, please drop into the Scarecrow Village at any stage to sign the rota. Many thanks in advance for your kind help.

Scarecrow Festival App on your Phone! A new smartphone App has been created by Tomás and Claire Woods for the Scarecrow Festival that keeps users informed on the day-to-day events, guides users to the various attractions and tells visitors where the car parks are. It is well worth downloading from the iStore or PlayStore for the duration of the festival. Many thanks to Claire and Tomás Woods for donating their time and effort into developing the App – it is really appreciated by everyone.

Senior Citizens Night: A Senior Citizens Night with dancing and music (by Andrew Walsh) will be held from 7pm to 9pm with the High Nellies in the Scarecrow Village on Monday 30th July. Refreshments by Durrow Community Council will be provided on the night. We hope to see you there – bring a friend!

African Drumming: Taking place in The Scarecrow Village on Tuesday 31st July from 2-6pm, this is a FREE EVENT and is always a big hit.
If you and your kids are looking to beat out a crazy rhythm then the drumming workshops in The Scarecrow Village could be the place for you. Catering for all ages including adults, teens and children, the workshops are scheduled during the day in succession and normally last a half hour, just in time before the straw starts to fall off your hands.
Participants are introduced to the African Djembe Drum and taught fairly quickly in a fun way how to create music and connect with each other – without the use of a mobile phone. Within 10 mins everybody will be clapping and playing along to a groovy beat and experiencing the power of the drum within a group setting going through a series of songs, beats and actions.
Fun and humour are a big part of these workshops, so get along and drum up some fun and good times!

Puppet Shows: One of the coolest areas in the Durrow Scarecrow Festival is the Once Upon a Scarecrow interactive zone, located in the small triangular lawn beside Tae Lane as you head out the Kilkenny Road. On Sunday 5th August, Once Upon a Scarecrow will be hosting cool puppet shows which will be taking place at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. So get along and join in the fun! Aside from the puppet shows, this area will be the home for loads of fairytale-themed scarecrows, with characters from many of the classic fairytales and stories – characters that we remember from our childhood days. There will be lots of fun and games, particularly suited to the younger age group, as well as costumes you can dress up in.

Duck Derby: The famous Durrow Scarecrow Festival Duck Derby will take place on the Erkina River on Thursday 2nd of August at 7pm – so get down to the river and get your duck. If your not in the water you can’t win! And remember everybody, this is a Scarecrow Approved Event!

Treasure Hunt: The family Treasure Hunt around Durrow Village for The Durrow Scarecrow Festival is always a big hit with families. Collect your Treasure Hunt sheet with all the clues at the Scarecrow Village entrance, head out, take in all the scarecrows in the Scarecrow Trail and complete the hunt – lots to see and do! No time limit. When you are finished and you have succeeded in finding all the hidden objects or places by following our tricky clues, return the completed Treasure Hunt sheet to the desk at the entrance to the Scarecrow Village.
The winning entry will be that with the most correct answers. If more than one entrant has the same number of correct answers the names will be put in a hat and a winner picked. We will contact the winner with a little prize when the festival is over. Enjoy and Stay Safe!

Festival Music: Scarecrows like nothing better after a hard days crow-scaring than the kick back and listen to some great music in the Scarecrow Village. We think they only like hillbilly music, what with all that straw and all … but we hear that they like all types of music. That’s why we have a varied selection of acts at the Scarecrow Festival to cater for everyone from traditional irish, pop, folk, classical to country. So why not take a break from it all and listen to some great music. We are delighted to have Bank of Ireland onboard as sponsors of our Scarecrow Village Music lineup this year, it’s always great entertainment. And not only that but the bank will be open on the Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th of the August Bank Holiday weekend as well – it’s great to have local business like this getting involved and showing great community spirit. Well done!

The Durrow Scarecrow Festival has it’s own website and also it’s own App for your phone. To find out about everything to do with the festival, visit the website here: www.durrowscarecrowfestival.com

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