Strawberry Fest Enniscorthy.

Cantona's Collars

Was in Enniscorthy last night,the Strawberry Fair is a pale and depressing imitation of what it used to be.Had an American friend with me and he was of the same opinion-there seemed to be more Gardai and security than what you get at Oxegen but no atmosphere.Drinking on the street was banned,this was part of the fun.Fair enough there was always the usual scumbags that abused this but the vast majority of people enjoyed a few jars while taking in the music.Organisers may get with the times or it's goodbye Strawberry Fair-old tired ideas for a modern time.BTW the band was good but crowd dead.Is the craic gone out of the country?:( It seemed the entertainment was geared towards getting people into the pubs,what's the point in having a festival if everybody is in the pub and not on the street enjoying it-this trend started when brewerys started sponsoring the event.A street festival should be on the streets and for everybody.The Fair needs an injection of new ideas and fun or it's bye bye.

allthedoyles

yea, - looks like bye bye Strawberry Fair .

In a country full of regulation , we can't even go into the pubs anymore .- Have one pint and you can lose everything.

Cantona's Collars

My original post may have given the impression that drinking during the fair is the be all and end all.I like a few pints as much as the next man but each to their own,thought I'd get that in before the pioneers jump on me.But like it or not drink plays an integral part of any Irish party.Last night encapsulated the modern day Strawberry Fair-no fun,no atmosphere and the apathetic crowd being babysat.Maybe next year they should hold it in Tehran.

RKQ

Blame An Garda!
The Garda insisted on no drinking in the Square and the Security to police it.

This large Security is one of the main expenses of the Fair - cost in the thousands. Of course The Echo charge €900 to display the photo's of the Princess' - I thought the Strawberry Fair was local news but the Echo don't. Not much local support there.

At a guess, if 8k is wasted on the Echo & excessive Security then theres not much in the kitty for headline bands. I expected great things this year for 1500 celebrations.

I was in the Square last night and was absolutely shocked at the Security presence. There was almost more security than audience. The band were very good, it was a real pity the crowd wasn't there.

Drinking cans in the Square was part of the street festival. Most adults could enjoy themselves without causing a riot. Most people remember bar extensions & drinking on Slaney Street - happy memories.

Alast the Strawberry Fair is the salmon swimming against the tide of local aphathy. Many Towns have copied the Fair - Gorey, Bunclody, New Ross. Then there are the numerous Agricultural Shows and Vintage Rallies. So theres something on in most towns & villages over the summer.

I'd argue that the town needs the Fair, it put us on the map. Its important to be on the map in a recession. Maybe the town could attract investment / development.

I for one would miss free entertainment, the first and potentially the best, viva Strawberry Fair.

gbee

RKQ wrote: »

Blame An Garda! At a guess, if 8k is wasted on the Echo & excessive Security then theres not much in the kitty for headline bands. I for one would miss free entertainment, the first and potentially the best, viva Strawberry Fair.

We are over regulated, over policed, yet criminals get free reign. There would have been a time when papers like the Echo would have sponsored the event, but sponsorship is a loss making exercise and it's only losers who sponsor anything today.

I've been in and around marketing for 25 years and sponsorship is never met with a return, Guinness started to pull sponsorship as the truth dawned on them a few years ago.

Irish people in general seem to go out of their way not to support sponsors: Sponsors, in return also expect too much and their support is sometimes actually damaging.

Final rant: Make a festival to draw huge crowds: Gardai close down the town or village and allow no parking within 300 hundred miles.

Judgement Day

I would have thought, from living only yards from The Market Square, that we don't need the Strawberry Festival for an excuse for public drunkeness - enough of that every night. That said, the Strawberrry Festival is, to me, an embarrassment right up there with the woeful St.Patrick's Day parade and I wouldn't bring a visitor near it.

Cantona's Collars

Why can't the Fair be moved back down to Abbey Square and amusements,stalls etc. to the prom-it was better that way cos everythings central.And spend money on decent music.I remember a couple of years ago local djs offered to do a set at night for free but the commitee rejected it,they prefer country music to cater for the older crowd who seem not to spend money when at the fair.Old music for old people,no wonder theres apathy toward the fair.New blood needed at commitee level to listen to what people want for The Strawberry Fair.Just look at The Sea Festival in Bundoran this weekend in comparison,free music and major bands and musicians if you want to pay to see them.Be a pity to see our fair die but as it is theres nothing to attract the younger crowd who are the future.The headline act tonight is folk and country music-no thanks!

RKQ

Afew interesting points above, many I agree with.
Maybe the Committee needs new blood with fresh music ideas etc. But they are all hard working volunteers. How many of use are interested on a wet or frosty January night?

A free Fair is free entertainment for all the family. Improvements are certainly needed.
The music this year could be a lot better. I wish there was an easy solution.

Just in from a packed Market Square. Kids rally enjoyed the disco - lots of free spot prizes including 20 MP3 players. Kids delighted to see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Barney, Baby Bop, Dora, Bob the Builder, Tiger, Winnie the Pooh & Elmo. All free family entertainment. Great crowd.

No doubt the kids will enjoy the fun fair tonight. We'll pop down to the Square for a look. I'd assume they could be quite a few people drinking bottles of coke.

The "no alcohol barriers" remind me of "Check point Charlie". A border crossing installed by an auster Government that ultimately failed. No point passing thru Check point Charlie if you can't try smuggling!:)

I've heard the Security have checked peoples bags - which is a disgrace. These "Security" are not Customs, they have no legal right to search your bag. Any Solicitors around here to comment?

JayEnnis

I hate the fair, always have.

I don't mean to discriminate or stereotype but I hate all the travelers and the trouble they bring with them. You can't even walk down the street without one of them trying to start on you. I was turning up by the duffry gate today coming from gala and one of them in the van sped up and tried to hit the side of my car.

Bearhunter

I'm a bit ambivalent about the fair. It certainly had the crowds back in the 70s when the Abbey Square was awash with people, but a week-long festival was always going to be hard to sustain. Back then, of course, the late closing of the bars meant it was a good week for the drinkers, but for the rest it was fairly thin fare and the music was without exception awful old bollocks. What I miss most about the fair, though, is the old headlines that would appear without in the Echo. In the week following the fair the banner headline would be: "Strawberry fair best ever", while around November there would be one that read: "Future of the Fair in doubt", every year without fail. Ah, such innocent times...

Cantona's Collars

Another fair over and another step nearer oblivion,it's no more than a glorified field day at this stage.Tired old ideas and tired old music,I mean who the hell wants to hear a showband on a festival stage these days-it's not 1965 anymore.At least the the usual suspects stayed away cos they couldn't drink on the street and cause trouble and ruin the fair for decent folk.Anyone got any ideas to improve the fair or should we just call time on it?

jpb1974

I would have been a sceptic but my young lad thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the fair this year - afternoon kids entertainment, a few spins on the bumpers and we had him at the rock band last night which he really enjoyed.

So it made me think that whilst maybe I've grown out of it there's certainly something there for someone to enjoy.

St Senan

The Strawberry fair is dead and has been for a long time the committe and organisers need to go and a younger group geared at modern music and Entertainment need to be found. The fair is too spread out around the town having the childrens Amusements in a field up at Bellefield GAA is stupid. Why not have the 1500 parade that was in town a few months ago tied into the Strawberry fair and include closing ceramony with a big fireworks display last night. The next big event in town is the Blackstairs blues why not include that in the strawberry fair this year.

Enniscorthy town council. Enniscorthy lions club, Enniscorthy Publicians, Enniscorthy Strawberry fair orginisers, Enniscorthy Gardai Get on a bus together and head down to New Ross for some Ideas to save the Strawberry fair.

Look at this

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/index.php?view=categoryevents&id=1%3Ajfk-dunbrody-festival-2010&option=com_eventlist

Compared to this

http://www.wexfordstrawberryfestival.com/events/sat/

http://www.wexfordstrawberryfestival.com/events/sun/

Cantona's Collars

As I said,turning into glorified field day,you can't criticise the kids entertainment but thats easy to pull off-a few cd's,games and characters to entertain the little ones.Its the entertainment aimed at adults that falls on it's arse and the gardai along with security that treat adults like kids don't help.Its meant to be a festival for everyone but the level of apathy towards it is amazing.The amount of adults that attend just cos kids are pestering them is huge,theres nothing else to draw them there and more important tempt them to return.How many people will you meet this week that will say they enjoyed the Strawberry Fair?

jpb1974

How many people will you meet this week that will say they enjoyed the Strawberry Fair?

I enjoyed the band last night... certainly better than Jedward :eek:

I'm not arsed with the fun fair, stalls or boozing... I had my fill in my glory days before mortgages, household bills and kids came along.

It could be better... that's for sure... but I don't expect much out of it to start with so my expectations are never too hard to satisfy.

Cantona's Collars

Thats the problem,peoples expectations are so low that anything above mediocraty is a bonus.Im too old and sensible for Jedward myself but at least New Ross are pushing the boat out to cater for people.You summed it up perfectly when you said you couldn't be arsed.Thats the attitude of many people that is killing the event.The Coronas playing at Dunbrody Festival are a great band though.Wonder how many of the Strawberry Fair commitee will be in New Ross on a fact finding mission or maybe the "modern music" would be too noisy:D:D

St Senan

jpb1974 wrote: »

I enjoyed the band last night... certainly better than Jedward :eek:

.

Not many people like JEDWARD but they would attract thousands of people with young kids to a place like Patricks park in Enniscorthy. The fair organisers could do what is been done in Newross and Charge €5 admission fee to cover the Security staff. To keep the Strawberry alive and to keep up with other Events in the county over the Summer months Enniscorthy town council. Enniscorthy buisness people, Enniscorthy lions club, Enniscorthy Publicians, Enniscorthy Strawberry fair orginisers, Enniscorthy Gardai. will need to sit down with the younger Generation of the town to organise future Strawberry fairs.

If the strawberry fair was to get the Likes of JEDWARD charge an Admission fee pay the Security staff i am fairly sure there would be enough Money left over to go towards another big act to headline next years fair and so on and so on. Also keep the old style Country and western music free for a late afternoon on Sunday in the square or even a stage in the old Dunnes stores car park

Judgement Day

Well I'm glad it's over - the music (?) yesterday was hideous - and living close by I can now return to relative peace and quiet.

Cantona's Collars

Or maybe the mart car park:D Anyone got Louis Walshes phone number? Thank God that Glastonbury was on the telly,wonder if any of those acts would be interested in coming over when their sets are finished? Im sure they've heard of The Strawberry Fair.On a serious note we need the young generation on board to organise it in future but unfortunately in my experience any forward thinking in Enniscorthy is shot down! The Flat Earth Society reigns supreme,rather let the town die than move forward and innovate.:(

jpb1974

Moving forward and innovation is grand.. but it takes a number of things -

(1) People with good ideas
(2) People motivated & driven to implement them
(3) People with good management and organizational capabilities
(4) Money

Finding all 4 won't be easy.

The fact of the matter is that The Strawberry Fair started at a time when you got an apple and an orange for Christmas and in the times we live in it's extremely hard for it to keep up without decent financial backing. Hedging your bets on Jedward to fund a better all-round show... wel it might work but who's supposed to front the money and take the risk?

St Senan

jpb1974 wrote: »

Moving forward and innovation is grand.. but it takes a number of things -

(1) People with good ideas
(2) People motivated & driven to implement them
(3) People with good management and organizational capabilities
(4) Money

Finding all 4 won't be easy.

The fact of the matter is that The Strawberry Fair started at a time when you got an apple and an orange for Christmas and in the times we live in it's extremely hard for it to keep up without decent financial backing. Hedging your bets on Jedward to fund a better all-round show... wel it might work but who's supposed to front the money and take the risk?

The Dunbrody festival is only a few years old and it's now an example of how the Strawberry fair should be.
JEDWARD is just an example of a headline act

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/index.php?view=categoryevents&id=1%3Ajfk-dunbrody-festival-2010&option=com_eventlist.

It's the local busniess people and pubs that makes the profits from the Strawberry fair each year. It's these buisness people who should contribute some money to attract well known groups.

jpb1974

It's these buisness people who should contribute some money to attract well known groups.

Well they're obviously not so maybe there lies the root of the problem?

Maybe some of the (disgruntled?) people posting on this thread need to get involved, get on the committee, make a contribution and ultimately try and make a difference?

Cantona's Collars

Theres plenty of decent acts out there to take part in the festival,Im sure New Ross and other towns hosting festivals aren't flush with cash but in taking a risk they reap the rewards.This year is meant to be the 1500 celebrations,why didn,t they incorporate the parade which was actually very good into the fair? That alone attracted a massive crowd the night it was held.I personally can remember people approaching the Fair organisers with new ideas only to be shot down.This attitude has always been in the town. THE NEW TESCO STORE ANYONE.The local businessmen(not all of them btw)got what they wanted there-that really helped as everyone got in their cars and shopped elsewhere.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi2Cd2eDOZY

St Senan

Strawberry fair 2010

Friday Night main act market square Boru
Saturday night main act market square luan Parle
Sunday night main acts market square Thunderstruck and later Bluemoose

Compared to

Dunbrody festival

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

jpb1974

why didn,t they incorporate the parade which was actually very good into the fair?

I dunno... lack of vision, not putting all their eggs into one basket... one could speculate all day but you really should approach someone on the committee and ask them directly because unless one of them post here you're possibly not going to get an accurate answer.

THE NEW TESCO STORE ANYONE

OT but - a new Tesco would be nice... but the town centre would completely die and let's face it... it's bad enough as it is.

jpb1974

Strawberry fair 2010

Friday Night main act market square Boru
Saturday night main act market square luan Parle
Sunday night main acts market square Thunderstruck and later Bluemoose

Compared to

Dunbrody festival

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/i...tpage&Itemid=1

Ya... I think we've registered that at this stage.

Cantona's Collars

With all the excitement about Jedward,I nearly missed that Crystal Swing are on the bill:eek::D:D:D:D:D Looking forward to seeing them headline Strawberry Fair in 2020.

St Senan

jpb1974 wrote: »

Ya... I think we've registered that at this stage.

Thank God for that
i thought i was not getting through to people here about how poorly orginised and behind times our beloved Strawberry fair has turned out.

jpb1974

Thank God for that
i thought i was not getting through to people here about how poorly orginised and behind times our beloved Strawberry fair has turned out.

Ya... have you seen the line up for the Dunbrody festival by any chance?

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Cantona's Collars

http://www.wexfordstrawberryfestival.com/contact/ Why don't you post the link to dunbrody festival there instead of being arsey here.People such as Scaller are merely making comparisons between a much improving festival and the decline of one which used to be the biggest and the best in the South East let alone Co.Wexford. The fair was a big deal to many people and I myself have many good memories of it,shame to see it in terminal decline.

jpb1974

Cheer up Zerks... t'was only meant as a giggle.

http://www.jfkdunbrodyfestival.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

jpb1974

http://www.wexfordstrawberryfestival.com/contact/ Why don't you post the link to dunbrody festival there instead of being arsey here

I've used the contact link provided and forwarded them the URL on this thread asking for them to comment on same. If they respond I will let you know.

'scorthy

Great thread; a great insight into the physique of townsfolk. Having served on the then 'Strawberry Fair' (now publicised as the Strawberry Festival) committee many years ago I can perhaps enlighten the boards on some issues raised.
It was originally formed to promote the sale of strawberries, plain and simple. Growers got together to show their produce and increase sales locally and marketing in general. Aidan Ryan, was in my opinion, the motivation behind the successful promotion of the event and added entertainers with recognised names. JPB1974 is correct in stating (it needs) (1) People with good ideas (2) People motivated & driven to implement them (3) People with good management and organizational capabilities (4) Money.
I would have put MONEY first on the list as in my experience on the committee there were lots of innovative ideas from motivated people but they had to be self-funding and not a financial burden on the fair. If I were to look at the "festival" from an organisational viewpoint I would ask many questions: Why have a festival? Who does it benefit? Can we tie up with the tourism board? How much sales does it generate for the growers and how much do they put back in? etc..The town needs a festival and for want of a better term Strawberry is just as good as any but it doesn't need knockers or apathy. Remember, it must cater for all, including the rural community it's not just a festival for townies. I'd encourage positive ideas and thinking (and comments). Forget about the Ghost-town image and look at the good things we have. It's a great town steeped in history and with great people & characters. The Strawberry Festival committee have asked for ideas and comment on line; if you have a positive suggestion I'd suggest this as your starting point. And SCALLER, no more blatant plugs for New Ross (don't get me started!) jpb1974 100%

Cantona's Collars

No worries jpb1974, theres always The Eileen Aroon festival to look forward to:) That'l put Oxegen in the shade:D

Cantona's Collars

I'd always be a staunch defender of Enniscorthy and as said by 'scorthy the festival grew out of the growers show.But if it is now being put up there as a festival for the WHOLE COUNTY then it should be marketed and promoted as so.Nobody here ever mentioned it as being for 'townies' but your being stereotypical when thinking all country people listen to country+western music and 'townies' don't.Each to their own but a successful festival caters for all tastes.Maybe utilise Bellfield for paid access to big name artists and free music around the town aswell.As you pointed out,money is the major obstacle and especially in recession even more so.But times move on and what was successful before may not be so now.Just look at what Bundoran did at the weekend for a small town.People don't mind paying for quality.

jpb1974

Big names, money, differences of opinion aside I'd just like to say that I thought that the rock band last night were great and full credit to them. There was a big crowd in the square and from what I could see a lot of people were enjoying themselves.

Cantona's Collars

The smaller bands such as these would benefit from having big acts in town,imagine the exposure they would get just by playing to the crowd drawn in.Maybe in the future we can tell our kids about the day we saw a superstar play at the fair when they were only starting out.

St Senan

'scorthy wrote: »

And SCALLER, no more blatant plugs for New Ross (don't get me started!) jpb1974 100%

I am not pluggin Newross i am using it as an example to show people how a summer event should be organized.
Maybe i should use the Bunclody Eileen aroon, Adamstown show, Kilmore seafood festival instead of Dunbrody festival.
I am not from Newross my family on both sides are big familys in Enniscorthy. I would love to see the strawberry fair been a big success in the county again. The few times i remember a strawberry fair that was good was 1987, 1989 the year we had the French also 1996 and 1998.

Judgement Day

This is a very useful thread but amongst other it highlights the lack of Wexford posters on Boards - those that do are more interested in posting in the inane "Where are you from in Wexford" thread rather than something worthwhile here. I would be happy to see the Strawberry Fair thrive as God knows the town needs a lift but, to me, I see it as another badly run effort like the awful St.Patrick's Day parade. I'm an outsider and have noticed a marked reluctance to involve newcomers in running things - I could be wrong that's just my view.

'scorthy

scaller wrote: »

I am not pluggin Newross [good] i am using it as an example to show people how a summer event should organized.
Maybe i should use the Bunclody Eileen aroon, Adamstown show, Kilmore seafood festival instead of Dunbrody festival [Perhaps not].
I am not from Newross my family on both sides are big familys in Enniscorthy. I would love to see the strawberry fair been a big success in the county again. The last times i remember a strawberry fair that was good was 1987, 1989 the year we had the French also 1996 and 1998 [one that really sticks out in my mind also].

Pat Coady had a point recently; all organisations should unite under one banner to promote the town...ideal platform for the development of the festival. The 'Community Services Council' were very good in coordinating groups and if you wanted to help out or get involved as a newcomer you went into Mary and put your name on the list. Not sure if that organisation is still in existence. [anyone enlighten me?]
Judgement Day " I'm an outsider and have noticed a marked reluctance to involve newcomers in running things - I could be wrong that's just my view." Might be some truth in that...same people striving to do the work on committees year in/out.

St Senan

It's plain and simple the Strawberry fair is dying out

Those who make money out of it should reinvest in good Entertainment. The comittee should step aside and let young people with fresh ideas take over this should be done through a meeting with the local buisness people the garda and town council presant.

Traditional Irish and countrymusic should still be played in the Square to cater for the older generation.

Big named acts should be in Bellefield or Patricks park with an admission fee to cater for youth. Their should be street entertaiment at the weekends. Buskers, Bui bolg, Clowns and Mime artists, Another Idea would be to have a big dance arena say in the Farmers mart carpark with local DJ.s

The pubs could orginise there own Entertainment.

Was there any swinging pub competions held this year
Was there any raft racing on the slaney this year
Was there any road racing this year
Was there a Steam train this year


There should be a massive Fire works display held on Vinegar Hill for the closing ceramony.



Their is plenty of places in the town to have stalls instead of a corner of the field. why not have the stalls along with the farmers market held down in the abbey carpark.

In 1998 we had the huge concert on the Fair green with the Millenium drum that drew a large crowd.

Judgement Day

But it's not going to happen is it. The council couldn't even manage to paint the seats in the Market Square to have them spick and span for the festival - right outside their offices - and the Castle.......what a disaster area. 'Enniscorthy 1500' How are ye???

Cantona's Collars

5 pubs entered the pub talent this year,the judges were nearly pleading with pubs to enter,Enniscorthy apathy strikes again.Anyway congrats to Houlihans on winning.For a town where you can't throw a stone for hitting a pub a paltry 5 entries is disgraceful.

Mr.Mister

I was down in Ennisciorthy visiting a friend,i didn't get the wow factor from this festival,thought it was crap if i'm honest,but on the upside the food in the hotel by the river was lovely.

Judgement Day

The only high point was that the excellent Farmer's Market was extended to two days instead of the usual Saturdays-only. There seems to have been a certain amount of disappointment that the usual level of drunkeness wasn't attained due to restrictions on public drinking.

Mr.Mister

Judgement Day wrote: »

The only high point was that the excellent Farmer's Market was extended to two days instead of the usual Saturdays-only. There seems to have been a certain amount of disappointment that the usual level of drunkeness wasn't attained due to restrictions on public drinking.

Ah yes,the farmers market was great too,as i got some fudge for my drive back.

The Man of Aran fudge is King!

jpb1974

Received this today -

Dear Mr *****,

I will bring your concerns to the Strawberry Festival Committee tomorrow evening….as we are reviewing the Festival then…


Regards

I replied requesting that she give me an update on the outcome of the Festival review.

jpb1974

Some additional correspondence-

To: xxxxx
Sent: Tue, 29 June, 2010 16:21:21
Subject: RE: Strawberry Festival


[/FONT][/SIZE]Hi xxxxx,

I am sure there are many improvements necessary but that is the joys of a very small budget and an equally small voluntary committee…I will keep you informed and thank you for your interest and comments…

From: xxxxx
Sent: 29 June 2010 14:20
Subject: Re: Strawberry Festival


Thanks for the reply. I'd appreciate if you could provide me with some feedback as to how the festival review goes.



Thanks again.

xxxxx

St Senan

That says it all that the People/Businesses who profit out of the Strawberry fair put shag all back into it for next year. At least the organisers could have made a bigger effort this year with the town been 1500 years old. Could the committee not have fundraisers also approach the Pubs and Hotel owners the Shop keepers, the Takeaways and Restaurants.

Cantona's Collars

The pubs etc. made a nice few quid over the weekend,they will only be interested in something that makes them money-if people are on the street enjoying entertainment they aint in the pubs,hotels etc. spending money.Terrible that the commitee have to beg for funds and an opportunity to tie in the 1500 celebrations with the fair has been missed.The selfish attitude of Enniscorthy business strikes again,if they can't profit from it,they don't want to know and can't seem to see the big picture of what a successful festival will bring to the town.If people think something is crap they won't come back and wont recommend it to their friends.Should have been a memorable year for the town but turned out to be meh!

Mr.Mister

A perfect example of making a festival a success is the mitchelstown music festival,it started off like the strawberry festival in the square in mitchelstown and now look at it... It's called 'Indiependence Music Festival' now.

And due to the progress over the years the whole town benefits from the thousands attending.