The city streets are about to come alive
Cork city will be buzzing with music and the laughter of children as Open Streets kicks off this weekend.
The first of this year’s Open Street series will take place on Saturday with live music, free games to play and creativity for all the family on Lapps Quay from 2-6pm, in association with Meitheal Mara, Ocean to City and Let’s Play Cork.
It’s the first of seven events planned, and people are being encouraged to come into the city without their car, either by walking, cycling or public transport. While car parks are unaffected for those who do need to take the car, the organisers are encouraging everyone to walk, cycle or take public transport into the city that day.
A spokesperson for Cork City Council said: “The Open Streets concept involves the opening of roadways as spaces for social and community events. This encourages a culture where streets are seen as shared spaces for health and well-being and recreation, rather than just for vehicles. Through an integrated approach with the local businesses, business representative organisation’s, public transport bodies and community groups, Cork City Council, with its partners, is organising a two-year campaign to devise a series of Open Streets events, both in the city centre and in the larger suburbs of Cork city. It forms part of a net zero city pilot project.”
Other planned events include the Shandon Festival on 21 June where Shandon Area Renewal Association and Shandon Festival Working group will organise a series of fun activities.
The Animal Operetta in the city centre will take place on 22 June where, in association with Cork City Council and Cork Midsummer Festival, a herd of seven monumental and curious red giraffes will move nonchalantly around the city centre led by an operatic diva and some ringmasters. There will be two performances, one at 2pm and 9pm.
16 and 17 August will see Playing with Food grace the city streets while the North Main Street Carnival will take place on 23 August and Blackpool Festival on 24 August.
On 7 September, Douglas Street Autumnfest will be led by Douglas Street Business Association.
This stretch of road goes car free for its annual festival. The event has grown in success year on year and is jam packed of activities. On 19 September Corks Culture of Street Play will see a series of city centre activities that celebrate play and creativity on the street.
The summer series will be hosted by City Council in association with its partners Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, Cork Environmental Forum, Transport & Mobility Forum, Cork Cycling Group, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Cork Volunteers Centre and An Garda Síochána.