Festival is music to the ears -- 3rd Koroit Irish Festival 1999

by MARY PAPADAKIS -- published Warrnambool Standard 3rd May 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved


 Dressed in traditional outfits, Jessica Cady-Ellis, 9, of Koroit, and Meghan Dwight, 10, of Casterton, danced their way happily through the Koroit Irish Festival on Saturday. Picture: DAMIAN WHITE

Thousands of visitors flocked to the town to enjoy a variety of entertainment as well as craft markets and sideshows.GREEN jelly, countless pots of Guinness, four-leaf-clover tattoos and endless renditions of Danny Boy - the Koroit Irish Festival had it all. Commercial Road was taken over by singers, dancers, poets, clowns and food and craft stalls at the weekend, all showcasing the Celtic tradition and the connection some of the town's residents have to their homeland. It was a place for friends to gather, for people to meet, for traditional Irish music to echo through the town - it gave children an excuse to dye their hair green for a day.bThe festival, now in its third year, showcased local and interstate acts using four stages. According to Koroit Irish Festival committee president Maurice Molan, a record number of up to 13,000 people attended the event. "There were definitely more people than last year but we haven't counted the gatetakings yet. There were up to 13,000 people," he said. Mr Molan said perfect weather, good music and a great site made this year's festival "fantastic". "People have been coming all day (Saturday). There are more stages this year and that has certainly made a big difference. There's music all the time," he said. "We really appreciate the public support that we've had." Mr Molan said 25 local and interstate bands performed during the festival. He said the change of venue from the town's High Street to its main road was a good move that centralised the festival and involved local shops. Festival committee member Howard Nichol agreed: "It's so much better than last year. It's been a great move to move it into the main street and I'm delighted with the community support and involvement," he said. The winner of the Danny Boy contest was Elizabeth Mason, of Melbourne.