The fourth event in the Giant Adventure series returns for a second year
Finn, our 32-foot-tall giant is set to visit Warrenpoint next weekend, for the Wake the Giant festival which comes to the town for a second year as part of the Giant Adventures season.
Wake the Giant is a free event delivered by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and takes place 26 – 27 August in the picturesque setting of Warrenpoint, Co Down.
The festival is inspired by the myth of a sleeping Giant reposing on the Cooley Mountains and is set to bring children and adults to Warrenpoint Park once again to experience the magic of the Giant being woken up, alongside the escapades of the local witch.
Castlewellan artist Francis Morgan, who created the giant for the first festival, has created a whole new wardrobe this year. Last year the Giant was caught napping in his pyjamas but has a new outfit for this year. Come along and check out his new clothes!
On Saturday 26 August, visitors can enjoy live street theatre, live music, and free children’s craft workshops. There will be a Busking Competition and street theatre performance from 2pm – 5pm throughout the town and in many local businesses.
On Sunday 27 August, Finn who has been snoozing in Warrenpoint Park and might be a bit grumpy on the day, is set to be woken up at both 2pm and 5pm on the Sunday afternoon. There will also be plenty of free activities for all the family including arts and crafts and music performances in the Park.
The whole event will be coordinated and directed by a larger than life character – the Point Man, who will enthral and entertain, whilst the witch Cailliagh Beara meddles her way through the crowds in an effort to defeat Finn and keep him under her sleeping spell for ever.
A Local Food Village will be in place located at Seaview and the Promenade across the weekend. The Village will be transformed in to a live music hub with entertainment from 12noon to 10pm on Saturday and 1pm to 10pm on Sunday. Performers include some of the best contemporary bands in the business; these include The Nooks, Marty Fay Band, The Motown Sensations, The Housem8’s, The Rob Strong Band and Jo Petit & the Dream Band.
Speaking at the launch of the Wake the Giant festival, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, said, “It is wonderful to see our Giant return to Warrenpoint for the second ever Wake the Giant Festival. By building on the success of last year’s event, we can bring an even bigger and even better experience to local and further afield families this Summer and share our stories with them.”
“We are committed to creating wonderful events which present Newry, Mourne and Down as an inspiring and memorable holiday destination. Our Giant Adventure Season is the perfect way to showcase our wonderful region and bring families out to see the beauty of our landscape, whilst learning more about our rich heritage.”
Wake the Giant is just one event from the Giant Adventures programme, which includes Footsteps in the Forest, Strangford Lough Skiffie Festival, Festival of Flight, Wake the Giant on 26th and 27th August and City of Merchants on 30th September and 1st October – a new festival this year which reflects on and celebrates the rich maritime and industrial heritage of Newry.
For more details on the Festival check out www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/WakeTheGiant , www.facebook.com/VisitMourneMountains and www.twitter.com/VisitMourne #WakeTheGiant
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