2 weeks until Street Feast 2017

National Day of Street Parties and Community Celebrations

Over 1000 Street Feast Parties registered to date with 7 parties planned for Monaghan so far!  But we’d like more!

Is YOUR community up for a few sausages and bit of an oul tune on the accordion? Then drag a few tables out onto the green, get everyone to make up a bowl of something, buy a few paper plates and a bottle of squash and tell everyone to turn up at twelve on Sunday 11th June for a bite to eat and a bit of a catch -up. And to bring a friend. And their friend. And the dog. And a guitar…….you get the idea!

To register and receive your Free Party Pack* for Sunday, 11th June 2017, log onto www.streetfeast.ie

Street Feast are delighted to confirm that over 1000 Street Feast parties around the country have been registered to date, including 7 taking place in Monaghan. The 8th Annual Street Feast Day, which is to be held on Sunday, 11th June 2017, is attracting greater numbers than ever before. In Monaghan this year, Street Feast parties are taking place throughout the county, including in Glaslough, Newbliss, Emyvale and Clones. It is expected that over 450 neighbours will take part in county-wide Monaghan Street Feasts, which are being supported by Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Public Participation Network.

There is still time to register and include your community in the 2017 celebrations. Please visit www.streetfeast.ie.

Street Feast is an Irish local community initiative and is an all-for-fun, do-it-yourself, not-for-profit celebration. The initiative invites individuals, groups or clubs to host a lunch on their street, in a local park or in their front gardens – inviting other neighbours to come along and join them. The all-inclusive, age-friendly initiative aims to encourage active participation, bring communities together and reduce isolation. Everyone is encouraged to bring something along to share, whether it be a dish, a chair or a tune.

Street Feast are calling on people nationwide to come together at 12.00 noon on Sunday, 11th June to enjoy a bite to eat with their neighbours for a simple and fun way of reconnecting with those that live near them.

Patron of Street Feast, President Michael D Higgins congratulated the initiative,
“We must all by now realise the importance of community, inclusion, creativity and togetherness – all values that require support and a conscious effort of care, protection and solidarity. Initiatives such as Street Feast provide exactly that type of opportunity.”

Geraldine Watterson, one of the hosts of a Street Feast in Monaghan, said
“We are Emy Belles, a women’s group in Emyvale. We held the Street Feast last year and it was an outstanding success. We want to do it even better this year. It got new neighbours and old residents together to share food, and most of all chat and laughter. People did not want to go home! We had loads of different types of food. People had guitars and there was a sing-song in the evening. That was really great. Other groups got involved and helped out with face-painting and other children’s activities. It was all very informal and relaxed.”

Speaking today, Sam Bishop, one of the founders and Co-Ordinator of Street Feast said:
“We are very excited for Street Feast 2017! We want it to help rejuvenate communities, introduce new faces, bridge the gap between generations, share culture, stories and skills, and make our streets safer places to be.

“The registrations are coming in fast and the feedback has been exceptional, with some theming their celebrations or running them to coincide with other community projects. Over 1000 Street Feast parties are confirmed to date and 7 confirmed in Monaghan so far. There are still three weeks to go and we encourage as many individuals, friends, neighbours, clubs, community groups, faith groups, resident associations, etc. to get involved in this special all-inclusive community initiative. It can be as simple as laying out a few picnic blankets in your nearest green area! Go for it!”

Street Feast will support these individuals and community groups to host their own celebration, which is repeated on streets, parks, carparks and gardens all across Ireland.

Everyone who registers can claim a free Street Feast party pack which includes balloons, bunting, invites, posters and a DIY guide, everything you need to kick start your celebrations.

To register or for more information, visit the Street Feast website – www.streetfeast.ie