Cork Midsummer Festival’s Picnic in the Park, supported by Cork City Council, is set to take place this Sunday 14^th June

Fitzgerald’s Park is set to be transformed this Sunday, as it plays host to Picnic in the Park as part of Cork Midsummer Festival 2015.

An afternoon of free arts, entertainment, music, dance and workshops will take place from 12pm to 5pm in the park as people of all ages are invited to come and enjoy the Picnic, which was made possible through the support of Cork City Council.

Commenting on the event, Jim O’Donovan of Cork City Council said:

“Cork City Council is delighted to support Cork Midsummer Festival in creating the Picnic in the Park. Last year’s Picnic was a huge success, and this one is set to be even bigger and better. The Picnic will showcase the best of Cork arts and will bring Cork’s great traditions of music, dance, food, and theatre together in the heart of the city for the afternoon.” 

Picnic in the Park’s main stage will be the setting for a host of acrobatics, circus performers, music and dance throughout the afternoon. Some of Ireland’s best street and circus artists will be making an appearance, including the Lords of Strut, Dowtcha, Hakuna Matata and Circus OutSide the Box.

Free drop in workshops with Mayfield Arts, Cúig Artists, and GASP Studio Project with their Infusion Caravan will take place throughout the afternoon. Whalley Range All Stars’ giant inflatable Pig, which features a mini theatre inside, will be installed in the park.

Local food markets will serve delicious food on site, and people are also welcome to bring their own picnic. A special teddy bears picnic area, sponsored by POM-BEAR, will complete the event.

Mardyke Walk will be closed to traffic on Sunday 14 June between 08:00 and 22:00 but there is parking available at UCC and Sacred Heart Church at the east end of Western Road.

Speaking about the first weekend of Cork Midsummer Festival, Kath Gorman, Festival Curator said:

“Cork Midsummer Festival is launching this weekend, and there are a number of treats in store. Beyond by Circa, the world-renowned spectacle from Brisbane, Australia, takes place on Saturday and Sunday nights at the Everyman and is set to be one of the great highlights of this year’s festival. Come Dine with Charles Mee, a combined tasting and theatrical experience, also starts this weekend.

“We look forward to welcoming people from near and far to mark the real start of summer and enjoy the best of what Cork has to offer,” she continued. 

Cork Midsummer Festival features some 43 events and 95 performances across the weekends 12^th to 14^th June and 19^th to 21^st June.

For more on the events, see http://www.corkmidsummer.com/or follow us on Facebook: Cork Midsummer Festival or on Twitter: @CorkMidsummer, using the hashtag #CorkArtsExplosion.