In partnership with Cork Mental Health Foundation, Joy In The Park will be held in Cork's Fitzgerald's Park this coming Sunday afternoon July 17, 2022.

This inaugural event will be a celebration of life, whilst highlighting the importance of minding your mental health and well-being, through bringing the community together and finding our joy.

A fun-filled family afternoon, Joy In The Park will take on a carnival atmosphere, promising a quirky and eclectic mix of live music, spoken word, storytelling, children's entertainment, circus, workshops, wellness activities alongside a food market.

Joy In The Park will feature a sensational line-up of live music, with Indie legend Jerry Fish, KILA and Cork Ska favourites Pontious Pilate & The Nail Drivers performing, as well as the magical Cork Pops Ensemble.

A diverse programme of performances will take place throughout the afternoon, including the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Tent hosting the acoustic stage, headlined by Cork native John Spillane, whilst the Joy Sylvie Spoken Word Stage presents a superb line-up of poetry, hiphop, spoken word and storytelling, including acclaimed Cork writer Conal Creedon.

The Couch Sessions aim to bring the living room outside, starting off with Ronan Leonard's comedy music game, Ringo Music Bingo. Leonard will be followed by Miss Paula Flynn in conversation with Cork Creatives, Cethan Leahy, Rob Carlile & Ger Wolfe as part of her podcast Hold On in association with Minding Creative Minds.

Minding Creative Minds is Ireland's first 24/7 (32 county and our Irish overseas) wellbeing support programme for the entire Irish creative sector. No 49 North Street, a creative hub for mental health, recovery and well-being in Skibbereen, will bring music, songs and surprises with musicians and singers from the Happiness Ensemble, The Claddagh Rogues and Bantry Community Choir.

Creating a space of serenity, the Sensory & Wellness Haven forms the backdrop for a number of well-being activities, including tai-chi, meditation and sensory experiences, whilst The Circus Factory will entertain families with creative shows and chances to participate in their workshops following the performances.

The park will play home to various activities and happenings throughout the afternoon, including the parade of the Pompous Creatures presented by the Cork Puppetry Company, a New Orleans jazz procession by Rebel Brass and Rap A'Mile by Cork's young rappers as part of the Music Generation Cork City Programme.

Joy In The Park attendees may even catch Da Silly Heads' six foot giant brain greeting the public during the afternoon.

This event will balance fun activities with connection and understanding, all the while raising awareness for mental health and well-being. An engaging programme of wellness, sensory activities and workshops will promote this, provided by the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Community Work Health Action Zone Team and a number of organisations and community groups, including Shine, MyMind.org, GROW, Cork Counselling Services and Jigsaw. They will be joined by Pieta House, Samaritans, Shine A Light, National Learning Network and Aware.ie who will be present at the event as part of the support hub, offering support and information throughout the afternoon.

Joy In The Park is supported with funding from the HSE through the Connecting for Life Cork programme - as part of the HSE suicide prevention mental health strategy and Cork Kerry Community Healthcare; Cork City Council's Arts Office, The Community Section and the LCDC community grant, PARKS, Environment & Amenities; IMRO's sponsorship programme; Jacobs Engineering and Shine A Light. Additional programming support for the event will be provided by Minding Creative Minds and the Music Generation Cork City Programme.

Joy In The Park is a free event and will run from 12 noon until 6pm on Sunday July 17.

For more information and programming visit www.joyinthepark.com