Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
PANDEMIC restrictions have put paid to Killarney’s colourful 4th July Festival for the second year running but the organisers have promised to bounce back in 2022 with a celebration the likes of which has never been seen before.
The Independence Day party has been hugely popular since its inception and it was organised by a sub committee of Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce to mark a long and mutually beneficial relationship between Killarney and the American people.
Like last year, the committee will now go back to the drawing board due to the Covid-19 crisis and all energies will now be devoted to ensuring nex year’s festival will reach new heights in terms of entertainment value and excitement.
Thousands of people line the streets every year to watch and join in the spectacular Disney style 4th July carnival parade.
The annual pageant also features an American-themed open air cinema experience in Killarney House and Gardens, flag-raising national anthem ceremonies at dawn and a spectacular after dark fireworks display.
“The streets are getting busier but, unfortunately, we can’t have the celebration we had planned this year,” said Ollie Favier who is the joint chairman of the organising committee with Diarmuid Leen.
Diarmuid added: “Next year’s 4th July is going to be a boom time and the town will be packed for it”.
