Children & Family
THURSDAY 27th MAY
READ & SEED
For ages 5 - 8yrs 
Date : Thursday 27th May
Time : 4-4.45pm
Where : Wicklow Branch Library
Admission : FREE (places limited so sign up at Wicklow Library from May 6th!)
Come along to the library for an interactive story-time and then get your hands dirty with a fun seed-planting session. Don't wear your best party clothes!
WOW, Wicklow Town's Transition Initiative, are actively running a series of events from film showings to family events in the Community Garden. For more information or to get involved check out www.transitionwicklow.org/wow
(Due to space restrictions buggies/prams are to be parked in porch if possible)
In association with WOW and Wicklow County Council Library Service
WOW LOGO LAUNCH 
Family event, all welcome
Date : Thursday 27th May
Time : 6pm
Where : An Tairseach Ecology Centre, Dominican Convent
Admission : FREE
And the winner is..........? WOW, Wicklow Town's Transition Initiative, and Wicklow Arts Festival are running a school competition for 5th and 6th class students to design a logo for WOW. All entries will be on display in An Tairseach Ecology Centre where the winner will be announced, followed by a reception.
Congratulations to winner Elaine Whelan, and highly commended entries from Jake Doyle and Thomas Russell!
In association with WOW and An Tairseach Ecology Centre
FRIDAY 28th MAY
TALES FROM THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
Storytelling with Jerry Harmon
Date : Friday 28th May
Where : Wicklow Branch Library
With his mountain charm and guitar in hand, Jerry makes a welcome return to Wicklow. His stories are woven through with traditional songs of the Appalachian Mountains and he is gifted in interacting with children with his wit and humour, opening up a whole new world to them.
Jerry is a 2008 Spoken Word Grammy Nominee in America, a Master Appalachian storyteller and singer/songwriter from the mountains of North Carolina. His stories are unique, authentic and highly entertaining, an unforgettable experience for the audience. Jerry is the only direct descendent of Council Harmon who is credited with being the first to begin telling the "Jack Tales" (the most widely known of which is "Jack & the Beanstalk"), brought by his immigrant family from Europe to America in the early 1800s. www.jerryharmon.com
Sponsored by Wicklow County Council Library Service
HOPKINS COLOURING COMPETITION
Winners Prizegiving
Date : Friday 28th May
Time : 3.30pm
Where : Hopkins, Main Street.
Admission : FREE family event
Take part by picking up a colouring sheet for your age group. Selected entries will be displayed in Hopkins window and winners will be announced and prizes presented on the 28th May.
Congratulations to the winners and everyone who entered!
SATURDAY 29th MAY
KID'S FILM CLUB - " THE LORAX "
For 4 - 6 year olds
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 2 showings 10 - 11am & 11am-12pm
Where : The Cave, High Street.
Admission : FREE
The Lorax is an environmental story about a boy who comes to a sad and empty corner of town to visit a being called the Once-ler who tells him the tale of the Lorax and of what happened to the beautiful forest of Truffula Trees that used to grow all around. Full of fantastical characters and tongue twisting rhyme, this film is a treat for all Dr. Seuss fans.
"What was the Lorax? And why was it there?
And why was it lifted and taken somewhere
from the far end of town where the Grickle-grass grows?
The old Once-ler still lives here.
Ask him. He knows."
In association with Pat Kavanagh & The Cave Creative Arts Venture
THE NEW WOBBLY CIRCUS SHOW
Featuring Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 11.35am-12pm
Where : Bachelors Walk
Admission : FREE family event
This is a high impact street show choreographed to its own unique soundtrack.
Prepare to be amazed by these colourful characters performing all kinds of circus skills from hoola hoops to hat juggling. Probably your only chance in Ireland to see a man juggling fire with a burning bicycle wheel on his head!
On street entertainment followed by.......
THE WOBBLY CIRCUS WORKSHOP
With Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 12-12.45pm
Where : Festival Tent
Admission : FREE family event
See what it would be like to join the circus with entertainers Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla as they lead this interactive circus skills workshop for all ages. Try your hand at juggling, plate-spinning, diablo and devilstick techniques plus many more. Fun for all the family!
See Paul Wheel on youtube here
Don't worry if you miss today's circus fun - Wobbly Circus are back to do it all again on Sunday!
DON'T THROW IT, GROW IT ! 
Family event, all welcome
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 12-1pm
Where : Wicklow Community Garden (Top of Crinnion Park)
Admission : FREE
Bring along an old boot, toy or piece of packaging rescued from the recycling bin and turn it into a funky new container for plants!
WOW, Wicklow Town's Transition Initiative, are actively running a series of events from film showings to family events in the Community Garden. For more information or to get involved check out www.transitionwicklow.org/wow
In association with WOW
POETRY FOR ALL with Nell Regan
Bridge the generational gap and team up with someone from another age group for a joint adventure in creativity !
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 12pm
Where : An Tairseach Ecology Centre, Dominican Convent
Admission : FREE
Have you ever fancied writing but didn't know where to start? Do you work away but just need an infusion of energy? Or maybe you just have an hour to spare on Saturday!
Either way, come along to this multigenerational writing workshop with award winning poet and experienced teacher Nell Regan. So, come old, come young. Grannies- grab your grandchild, Aunties- nudge your niece....you get the idea. BRING ALONG AN OBJECT FROM YOUR HOME OR GARDEN AND ALL WILL BE REVEALED!
Nell Regan's debut collection Preparing for Spring (Arlen House) was shortlisted for the 2007 Glen Dimplex New Writing Awards, the 2008 Strong Awards and the Vincent Buckley Award. She is also the recipient of the 2007 Dublin City Literature Bursary. She has just returned from a reading tour in San Francisco and Los Angeles supported by Culture Ireland. She lives and teaches in Dublin and is currently working on her second collection.
DRAW WITH DON 
For ages 5 and up
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 1.15-2.15pm
Where : Festival Tent
Admission : €3 at door
Irish Wildlife Artist and children's author Don Conroy presents an interactive workshop which mixes how-to-draw with storytelling and lots of fun. Parents are welcome to join in the fun and Don will be free to sign books afterwards.
Don Conroy is a man of many talents- a writer, a television presenter, a naturalist, an environmentalist and a working artist who has had many exhibitions. Probably best known to the young people of Ireland for his appearances as Uncle Don to Dustin, Socky and Zig & Zag on RTE's The Den, Don has also had a tv series of his own- "Paint for Fun"- and has a weekly show an RTE 2 called "The Art of Don". Don is the author of many books for children and young adults including The Witches series, The Sea triogy and The Wings trilogy. His artistic and literary works centre around a wildlife theme. Don is heavily involved in wildlife conservation in Ireland and travels the country promoting the message of art and conservation.
See Don Conroy on youtube here
Workshop materials sponsored by Hopkins
CREATIVE RECYCLING
Free ECO-UNESCO workshop for ages 10-18 yrs
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 2.30-3.10pm
Where : Festival Tent
Admission : FREE Places limited, phone 086 0333906 to book a place
This workshop is open to all young people aged 10-18. The session will include an introduction to ECO-UNESCO, games such as human bingo, musical oil wells and an opportunity for young people to use their creativity by making some Tetrapak wallets, paper bags or beads from re-cycled materials. Participants will also find out how to set up an ECO-UNESCO club and carry our more environmental activities in your own community.
In association with ECO-UNESCO. Find out more at www.ecounesco.ie
YOUTH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Free ECO-UNESCO workshop for ages 15-18 yrs
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 3.30-4.30pm
Where : Foroige Youth Centre, South Quay
Admission : FREE
This event is aimed at 15-18 year olds living in Wicklow who are interested in global issues or taking environmental action. The workshop will be about thinking global and acting local. ECO-UNESCO’s peer educators (aged 15-17 years) will facilitate activities to explore global connections and what young people can do for a more sustainable world. The group will discuss actions that you can take in your own community as part of a local ECO-UNESCO club.
In association with ECO-UNESCO. Find out more at www.ecounesco.ie
SAND SCULPTURE COMPETITION
A fun free family event at the beach
Date : Saturday 29th May
Time : 3.30-5.30pm
Where : South Beach, Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow
Admission : FREE
Brittas Bay Coast Care invites you to pack your bucket and spade and head to South Beach, Brittas Bay for an all ages fun competition. Whether your sculpture is a simple sandcastle or the Taj Mahal, a mermaid or a monster, all are welcome to enjoy the beauty of the beach and create some stunning temporary art.
In association with Brittas Bay Coast Care and An Taisce's Clean Coasts.
ARTISAN FOOD & CRAFT MARKET
Date : Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th May
Time : 11am til 4pm
Where : Bachelor's Walk
Soak up the atmosphere at this colourful 2 day outdoor market by the scenic River Leitrim. Whether you're here for a taste or to treat yourself, there's something on offer for all the family with fine foods, unusual crafts and heritage demonstrations.
Vendors wishing to take part can email info@wicklowartsfestival.ie for an application form.
SUNDAY 30th MAY
CHALK ART ATTACK!
A fun family event led by Pat Kavanagh and The Cave Creative Arts Venture.
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 11am-1pm
Where : Footbridge, Bachelors Walk
Admission : FREE
Bring all the family down by the river and let your imagination run wild as we create some temporary art on the footbridge. And don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the works of art before they’re washed away in the next rain shower!
Sponsored by Pat Kavanagh, The Cave
BOOK SWAP STALL
New to you book exchange
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 11-4pm
Where : Artisan Food & Craft Market , Bachelors Walk
Young or old, share the joy of reading by bringing along a book that you have read and enjoyed and exchanging it for another book on the stall. In association with WOW and highlighting the book recycling facility at The Murrough Recycling Centre.
THE NEW WOBBLY CIRCUS SHOW
Featuring Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 12.15-12.40pm
Where : Bachelors Walk
Admission : FREE family event
This is a high impact street show choreographed to its own unique soundtrack.
Prepare to be amazed by these colourful characters performing all kinds of circus skills from hoola hoops to hat juggling. Probably your only chance in Ireland to see a man juggling fire with a burning bicycle wheel on his head!
On street entertainment followed by............
THE WOBBLY CIRCUS WORKSHOP
With Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 12.45-2.15pm
Where : Festival Tent
Admission : FREE family event
See what it would be like to join the circus with entertainers Paul Wheel & Marion Hoopla as they lead this interactive circus skills workshop for all ages. Try your hand at juggling, plate-spinning, diablo and devilstick techniques plus many more. Fun for all the family!
THE PINK LADIEZ PAINT!
Local Youth Group project
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 2.30pm
Where : Bachelors Walk
Watch the ladiez at work creating their Wicklow Town themed mural.
THE CHINESE PRINCESS & THE CRICKET
Presented by Julie-Rose McCormick Touring Puppet Theatre
Date : Sunday 30th May
Time : 3.30pm
Where : Festival Tent
Admission : €3 at door (accompanying parent and under 2s free)
Come along and join in an action packed adventure with warriors and a princess. Find out who will save the beautiful princess in distress and who the mysterious cricket really is.....
The Julie-Rose McCormick Puppet Theatre has been touring around Ireland and worldwide for 21 years. Julie-Rose has worked on productions with the Abbey and Project theatres and was puppeteer on the movie Lassie (2005). She carves, sculpts and designs all her own puppets.
Sponsored by Ulster Bank
OLTREMARA - A family friendly celebration of Italian culture, music, dance & food
Date: Sunday 30th May
Time: From 5pm
Where: Casapepe, Main St., Wicklow Town.
Enjoy an Italian style meal to the music and dance of folk fusion band Oltremara. Check out restaurant menu here, phone Casapepe on (0404) 62050 to book.
Oltre...the Italian for beyond or over, Mara.....the Irish for the sea.
Oltremara's vision is to introduce the Mediterranean's musical and folk heritage to a new audience and to create a cultural fusion of the traditional music, song and dance of Southern Italy and Ireland.
The 5 band members met in Ireland by chance and all of them come from different musical and dance backgrounds. Inspired by traditional dance and ancient folk tales, all of the band's songs reflect their cultural heritage while experimenting with new sounds to bring a fresh and exciting experience to their audience.
