Kaleidoscope festival unveils vintage fairground themed area

Family-focused music and arts festival Kaleidoscope has just announced a new creative entertainment area called Carnivale, promising "other-worldly fun and adventure."

Carnivale's vintage fairground, complete with hobby horses and carousels, is inspired by the spectacle, grit and glamour of the 19th century travelling fairground and the surrounding art forms of circus and magic.

Trevor Cullen - a family man from a long line of carnival royalty, owner of the Vintage Carousel Company and chairperson of the Irish Showmen’s Guild - is delighted to bring some fantastical funfair magic to this brand-new area as the creative partner of Carnivale.

He said: “As chairperson of the Irish Showman’s Guild, it’s important to me to continue on the long tradition of fairgrounds in Ireland as the creative partner to Kaleidoscope at their thrilling new area, Carnivale. Growing up, I worked with my siblings and parents at carnivals all over Ireland and understand the family fun that can be had at the funfair."

There will be a La-La Land circus tent full of acrobats, dancers, clowns, strongmen and more as well as an Insect Circus museum. Families can also learn circus skills, magic tricks and mask-making at the Little Vaudevillains' Workshop Tent.

This year is Kaleidoscope's second consecutive summer. It will be held at Russborough House in Blessington, Co. Wicklow June 26 through June 28.