Navan Speigeltent Festival launched at Solstice
Details of the full line up of 20 acts that will perform at Navan’s new summer Spiegeltent festival over 11 nights were officially unveiled at the launch which featured a special guest appearance by The Celtic Tenors who form part of the festival bill.
Running from 20th to 30th June, the promoters expect thousands of people to traverse the festival area on Kennedy Road, which will house both the actual Spiegeltent as well as the carnivále section compromising original 1920s pieces such as a Ferris Wheel, ornate Carousel, Helter Skelter and chair-o-planes.
In terms of the financial boost to the local economy the festival could be worth close to €1m based on the figures of the Spiegeltent festival held in Wexford town over the past number of years, according to local councillor Shane Cassells, who pushed for a festival event at Navan Town Council.
Addressing the launch at the Solstice Arts Centre, Cllr Cassells said the festival was going to provide a huge cultural and economic boost to the town.
“The average spend of people attending shows in the Spiegeltent festival tent was €100 and it is estimated that a similar spend will bring €1m into the local economy in Navan,” remarked Cllr Cassells.
“On top of that though there are going to be many more thousands of people in the festival area enjoying the carnivále section and seeing the tent itself, which is one of just 16 left in the world. All of these people may potentially spend money and bring further economic gain to the town.”
According to the data provided by promoters Lantern Events from the festival held in Wexford last year the sectors where the gain was highest was among those operating restaurants and pubs where 84.5 per cent attending a show subsequently went for a drink and 42.8 per cent went for a meal. Retailers, hotels and taxi operators were the other main services where there was a large spend recorded.
“What was most encouraging is that 96.7 per cent of those people surveyed said they had a fantastic experience and would come to the Spiegeltent festival again,” added Clllr Cassells.
The Celtic Tenors, which includes Matthew Gilsenan from Moynalty, performed two songs at the official launch in the Solstice Centre and warmly welcomed the arrival of the festival to Navan. The actual Spiegeltent which will be erected in Navan has now left Perth in Australia and will be constructed around the Preston Place end of Kennedy Road.
Full line up for the Spiegeltent Festival is as follows:
Jack L
David McSavage
Rocky Horror Live Show Experience
Duke Special
Ryan Sheridan
Lambert Puppet Show
Celtic Tenors
Finbar Furey
Tom Crean (Antartic Explorer)
Navan Artists in the Round
Eddi Reader
Jerry Fish
Donovan
Sharon Shannon
Gavin James
Damien Dempsey
Lambert Puppet Theatre
Brendan Grace
Vladimir - Classical Twist
Singing Nina - The Nina Simone Show