Hollywood Fair gets underway this evening, Thursday 18 with an impressive array of pre-1950s attractions and demos to keep all ages entertained. The vintage rural heritage theme of the Fair has proven a real hit with locals and visitors in recent years. Whether it’s nostalgia for the past, the farming community and townspeople of Co Kildare and West Wicklow have been flocking to Hollywood for the past 5 years.
The Fair commences tonight with a Ceili/Set-Dancing session in Hollywood GAA from 9pm. On Friday evening at 6.30pm, children’s fun and games in the GAA field, followed by a production called ‘Face the short kick-out’ , to be staged at Hollywood Centre. This is a ‘one-man-show’ devised and performed by Blessington man, Richard Lynch.
Jack Keenaghan and John McCann at the Hollywood Fair Fashion Show. Photograph AnneMarie Clarke.
The production has received great acclaim following performances at the Riverbank Theatre. This will be followed by a Ceili/Set-Dancing session on Thursday night in the GAA Centre and traditional music and singing in the Ceilidh House in the village on Friday night. On Saturday, Bishop Eamonn Walsh will concelebrate an old-style Latin Mass in St. Kevin’s Church at 6pm with local clergy. Dressed in pre-1950s attire the large attendance usually make their way by pony and trap, vintage vehicles, bikes and shank’s mare. After Mass a slow-bicycle race is followed by a re-enactment of the 1798 Michael Dwyer siege.
Working demonstrations of traditional craft and produce making at the Fair.
On Sunday, there will be exhibitions of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, stonecutting, wood-turning and butter making. The indoor handicrafts being displayed included spinning, knitting and sewing. Also at the Fair are vintage cars and farm machinery and of course, the local community centre hosts an ongoing photographic exhibition.
Throughout the afternoon, there will be ongoing live music with renowned trad artists, Arc, Mor Cheol, the Healys and set dancing with Syl and Liz accompanied by the Brian Boru Ceilí Band.
Steam engines and vintage vehicles always a popular feature of the Fair.
The highlight on Sunday afternoon will take place around 3pm when the committee hope to break the Guinness Book of records with the most people (women, men or children) wearing flat caps or 'caipíns'.
Sheep trials sponsored by Patrick Lawler Wool Merchant are a staple feature of Hollywood Fair.
The renowned Lisdoonvarna Match-Maker Willie Daly will attend the Fair - his success or failure rate from previous fairs is unknown! Another major attraction is the Sheep Show: competition for the various categories attracts intense local interest from Kildare and West Wicklow sheep breeders.
Entrance fee is just €3pp with children U12 free. See wwwthehollywoodfair.com for the full programme, vintage fun at its best!
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