Forest Fest gets a big thumbs up from homeward bound festivalgoers

AS the sun sets on yet another successful Forest Fest music and arts festival in Emo, jaded but happy festivalgoers were glowing in their praise of how the weekend went.

Eager festivalgoers had arrived in campervans and caravans from early on Thursday afternoon, while others pitched tents in the designated camping fields surrounding the festival site.

Shuttle buses were busy conveying crowds from surrounding counties and from Portlaoise and Portarlington train stations.

Volunteer stewards were stationed at the approach roads around Emo directing traffic to their parking areas, while security staff were on patrol at all camping and glamping areas over the entire weekend ensuring that everyone was safe.

Unlike many other festivals, the organisers catered for the comfort of festivalgoers and allowed folding chairs on site, which was evident by the hundreds of people who settled back, chilled out and relaxed taking in the sights and sounds.

Those with additional needs were also catered for with a dedicated viewing platform and area in the main stage arena.

There was music to suit all ages and tastes.

What was seen as possibly the best music line-up on the Irish festival circuit this year, saw top overseas bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Manic Street Preachers, The Stranglers, Travis, Orbital and Bad Manners attract huge crowds.

With six music stages and tents around the festival site, homegrown Irish bands were not in short supply either with rising bands such as Thumper, The Deadlians, the Luna Boys, Pillow Queens and Kerbdog.

On the fleadh stage, the Irish folk revival continued with the likes of Stocktons Wing, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, Freddie White, Frankie Gavin and De Dannan providing the toe-tapping tunes.

The festival promoters also showcased what the best of Laois has to offer in terms of great musicians and bands with the likes of Pogueology, Strength in Numbers, Dopamine, Houston Death Ray and The Jury drawing massive crowds during their sets.

Philip Meagher, festival organiser, and the 1,000 or so workers, stewards and local volunteers who had worked for months in preparing what was one of their best organised events in its four-year history, can rightly pat themselves on their backs for pulling off a brilliant weekend and a job well done.

***More photos from Forest Fest in this week’s edition of the Laois Nationalist which will be available to purchase online or in local shops from Tuesday 29 July.