PICTURES: All smiles as Savour Kilkenny food festival launches for October bank holiday weekend

With less than a month to go until Savour Kilkenny Food Festival kicks off, excitement is building throughout the country for the culinary-packed October bank holiday weekend (October 25-28).

Now in its 16th year, Savour Kilkenny is set to be bigger and better than ever, boasting over 100 market stalls showcasing artisan food producers and street food vendors from across Ireland. The festival will also welcome renowned chefs including Rachel Allen, JP McMahon, Derry Clarke, Kevin Dundon, Gary O'Hanlon, Rory O'Connell, Edward Hayden, Anne Neary, James Kavanagh and William Murray. 

USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY
Pictures by Vicky Comerford

The festival once again delivers wonderful culinary experiences, workshops and talks for adults as well as circus performers, a kids carnival, stilt walkers, a puppet show, face painting, pumpkin carving and a teddy bears picnic, for children.
Here are some highlights of the family-friendly events:

Dino Picnic at Jurassic Newpark: From October 25-28 (entry from 10.30am to 11am), a family-friendly morning filled with dinosaur-themed activities, delicious dino-themed picnic will take place at Newpark Hotel.

There’s a chance to explore incredible life-sized dino exhibits as you step back into a prehistoric adventure at Jurassic Newpark. Kids can enjoy the interactive dino exhibit and farm and have 30 minutes on the DINO bounce. (Fancy Dino Dress welcomed and bring your own dino). Tickets are €30 and must be pre-booked 24hrs before the event.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Storytime: On Friday, October 25 at 11am join the team at Mayfair Library for a special Savour Kilkenny 'Teddy Bears Picnic and Storytime.' Children can bring their favourite soft toy and enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes. The event is free but booking is required.

PUMPKIN DELIGHTS
Get the Most out of your Pumpkin with Denise Walsh: On Friday, October 25 from 3-4pm, Denise Walsh hosts a free workshop on getting the best out of your pumpkin flesh and pumpkin seeds with a delicious selection of seasonal recipe ideas. There will also be samples for tasting. Pre-booking is essential.

Celtic Steamers Steam Engine: on Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27 from 11am to 6pm, Ben Tomkins will bring one of the Celtic Steamers iconic steam engines and workman’s huts to The Parade where you can learn about the historical significance of steam engines and their vital role in the evolution of food production in Ireland. This event is free.

Hughes Farm Pumpkin Patch: on Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27 from 11am to 6pm, come down and pick your pumpkin and snap an autumnal family photo.

Aha Storytellers: on Monday, October 28, join a vibrant group of Carlow residents from various African countries at The Parade as they share their traditions through storytelling, creative writing, poetry, singing, dancing, acting and drumming.

Rhythm Riot Drumming Performance: On Saturday, October 26 from 5-8pm, Rhythm Riot will take to the streets. This high-energy show features skilled drummers delivering a performance that’s sure to leave you in awe.

Karbunkulis: Latvian Dancers: On Sunday, October 27, Karbunkulis, a Latvian folk-dance group, renowned for representing Latvian culture in Ireland will perform on The Parade. These talented dancers will enchant you with their vibrant costumes and intricate routines, including the lively and joyful Lustiņš Dance.

SENSORY EXPERIENCE
Sensory Food Exploration: On Monday, October 28, join Deirdre from The Cool Food School for a fun, interactive cooking class that will take your children on a Sensory Food Exploration Journey. From chopping to mixing to food listening, this hands-on experience is designed to make healthy food fun and engaging for kids. This event is suitable for children aged 3 to 12. Booking is advisable and it’s €15 per child.

MADRA MONDAY
A firm favourite, Madra Monday, is back on Monday, October 28 from noon to 4pm. Hosted by Connolly’s Red Mills, Leader Natural Dog Nutrition, your pups can play to their hearts’ content with playdates and playgrounds.
Connolly’s Red Mills team of pet experts will be available on the day to answer all your questions on dog health, grooming, nutrition and behaviour.

With tons of fun activities – it’s going to be a paw-fect day out for all.

“Whether you’re into carving pumpkins, Latvian dancing, African storytelling, dogs, drumming or steam engines, Savour Kilkenny has something for everyone – and that’s before the food and drink! We’re looking forward to welcoming families to Savour Kilkenny over the October bank holiday weekend,” said Savour Kilkenny Food Festival Manager, Marian Flannery.
For further details on all events, see www.savourkilkenny.com or followthe festival on Instagram @savourkilkenny for updates.