Redmond Park is everything you want in a town park – a green, leafy and quiet oasis where one can sit and contemplate the great conundrums. Last Saturday, we decided to give intellectual musings the day off so that it wouldn't get in the way of our annual Picnic in the Park. The event would have happened a month earlier were it not for the fact that we have just experienced one of the wettest Summers since records began. The dull and misty start to the re-scheduled date had us worried for a while. Imagine having to cancel again - that really would have broken our spirit! The Gods were smiling on us this time. The sun broke through just as the crowds began to stream through the gates. The sight of hordes of happy picnickers armed with cool boxes, picnic baskets and ground rugs gladdened our hearts. We had organised this day for just these people, and here they were. For the space of a sun-drenched afternoon they were treated to a packed programme of music, dance, art and sport.
The task of getting the party going was given to rock and blues band “the submersibles” – they didn’t disappoint. There followed three hours of non-stop entertainment. Co Wexford Youth Dance Company’s short performance (Concerto Grosso) was mesmerising with the hauntingly beautiful music of Corelli adding to the experience. FootworX Dance School then upped the tempo with a series of energetic modern dance sets that had the younger members of the audience entranced.
Red Moon’s Puppet Theatre had the desired effect on a capacity young audience. Between puppet shows Red Moon’s art zone, with resident face-painter Abigail Way, was a big hit. Also run off their feet were the amazingly talented Ilva and Kate of Wexford Arts Centre’s Little Artist Club. Songwriter Fran Greene impressed with songs from his fine new album “Backroads”. All the while DJ Adam was on hand to ensure there were none of those awkward silences between acts!
On the sports side Menapians A.C. put all-comers through their paces over a difficult obstacle course while Wexford Celtic created order from chaos at, what looked like, 20-aside soccer. A fascinating addition to the day’s activities was an impromptu acrobatics zone. A small group of young lads hopped, jumped, flipped and somersaulted through a “programme” that drew gasps of admiration from the clearly impressed onlookers. These guys should run away and join the circus!
We are really happy with how the day went. It is great to see the community spirit so strong and to see everyone getting together to do it for themselves. Thanks to all the musicians, dancers, artists and sports clubs for giving so freely of their time. Thanks to John Fowler and his colleagues on the St Patrick’s Day Committee for stewarding the event, and Wexford Borough Council’s Safety Officer Davy Martin for all his assistance. And thanks to the Order Of Malta for being on first aid duty.
Anyone wishing to keep in touch with the activities of the Love Redmond Park group can do so via Facebook. In fact a visit to the Facebook page is strongly recommended if for no other reason than to see the stunning collections of images taken at Picnic in the Park by photographers Niamh Mahon and Kathy Bergin. A selection of these images will go on display in the park.
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