Get in the zone for entertainment
RTE host Daithi O'Se jumps for joy as he meets the Roses at RTE headquarters in Montrose. Credit: Walsh Photo by Domnick
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THIS year's Rose of Tralee Festival will see Tralee divided into five entertainment zones. Area One is the town's two parks which will host daily Treasure Hunts and a huge range of family entertainment events. Highlights in both parks will be a Tag Rugby competition, zorbing, donkey derby, panto and tyre tossing. A 10.30am mass with the Roses will be held on Sunday morning in Pearse Park.
Pearse Park will have a 30m Saddlespan dome, so rain won't affect anything going on underneath it and will house street performers throughout the weekend.
Area two is the lower Abbey Car park which will be home to a section of Birds Amusements.
While the majority of the amusements will still be at the Fels Point location Birds will locate some of its family orientated units in the lower Abbey Car Park and old Cameo site location this year.
This site was secured with help from business man Michael Slattery and Tralee Town Council.
Area Three is the town centre stages at Denny Street, The Square and Lower Castle Street and the Mall.
Over 30 bands will perform at the three stage locations throughout the Festival.
Area four is Princes Quay which on Saturday will host the first ever Rose Cup Swimfest, which will see swimmers swim from Blennerville Lock Gates to Princes Quay. There will also be Kayaking and a Celebrity Canoeing competition for Jigsaw Kerry.
On Saturday evening the Aqua Dome Skyfest takes place with the new All-Ireland Air Ambulance on site. This will include an air display with daredevil stunts, sea rescue helicopters and a parachute drop by the Black Knights.
Area five is the Fels Point Area which will host the main event, The Rose selection, as well as Fossetts Circus, Birds amusements main carnival and the Rose dome event programme.
- SIMON BROUDER sbrouder@kerryman.ie
