Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
THE eagle has landed and don’t be surprised if a saloon bar brawl breaks out as Killarney’s second Fourth of July festival is under starters orders and ready to roll.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has organised a celebration of America’s Independence Day to honour the town’s friends, visitors and associates from the US and, anxious to get the party started as soon as possible, most of the festivities will take place this Friday, July 3.
Main Street Killarney will be transformed into Main Street USA with exciting events and street entertainment throughout the day.
A charity American-style cookout barbecue will commence at 2pm on Scott’s Street with proceeds going to the Kerry Cork Cancer Health Link Bus. This is a free event, sponsored by the Henggeler-Moriarty family in association with Scott’s Hotel and donations to this great charity will be most welcome.
Later in the afternoon be sure to hang around on Main Street as the return of the Wild West Troupe will be a sight not to be missed and the action on the streets will be enhanced by performances by Crumlin, Blarney and our own Gleneagle Brass Bands.
The main event of the day will be a gala parade which will start at 8.30pm on Ross Road and wind its way through the streets to finally reach the Beech Road car park where the party will really get underway with a live performance from The Swing Cats.
Of course no Fourth of July celebration would be complete without the all-important fireworks display which is scheduled to commence about 10.45pm.
Organising committee spokesman, Paul Sherry, remarked: “This is a rally call for everybody in Killarney to show appreciation of our American friends and associates.”
The organisers have appealed to local business owners to join in the celebrations by decorating their premises in red, white and blue and dressing their windows while restaurants have been urged to consider putting an American Special on the menu for the day that’s in it.
A limited number of American flags are available from Kate O’Leary at The Laurels and there will also be a large stock of celebration flags and badges on sale throughout the town on Friday.
