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Parenting

17th Jul 2017

8 of the BEST bits at Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular Cork

Katie Mythen-Lynch

The picnics have been scoffed and the sun cream is all used up: Ireland’s biggest and most-loved summer festival took over Cork’s Fitzgerald Park last weekend… and it was SPECTACULAR.

The best family fun you can have for free, Laya lined up a mesmerizing schedule of jugglers, break dancers, mysterious magicians and world-class, award-winning street performers to enthrall guests old and young throughout the two-day extravaganza.

The HerFamily crew were out in force at our special chill-out tent and we had a fabulous time meeting so many Cork mums and dads as they popped in for feeds and nappy changes.

Pampers and Tesco kindly took care of the essentials; with plenty of nappy samples and coupons handed out to grateful parents throughout the weekend.

Here are eight of our weekend highlights: 

1. Kid’s Court

The Kid’s Court is always a popular stop, but this time it was even messier, meaner and more mischievous than ever! Children put their parents on trial and afterwards, many were sentenced to a custard-pie-in-the-face or a bucket of iced water thrown as punishment.

2. Just Eat Street

Just Eat Street in Fitzgerald Park’s Rose Garden boasted over 15 cuisines from around the world. We chilled in the sunshine while the Just Eat Waiter Service took and delivered our food orders! Bliss.

3. Yoga for Kids

From 12 noon on Saturday and on Sunday, Yoga for Kids  gave little festival goers a chance to stretch out and relax before the day’s festivities in the Super Trooper Tent.

4. PET-acular with DSPCA & Purina

The DSPCA was on hand with advice on how to get your pooch to behave. The Purina crew was also on-site with a range of pet food and there was even a photobooth to have your photo taken with Felix!

5. The Mighty Gareth

A sword-swallowing, fire-eating magician that left eyes wide and jaws dropped, The Mighty Gareth performed a number of shows throughout the weekend. Incredible.

6. Imaginosity’s Ready Steady Grow

Who says education can’t be fun? Little ones joined crazy Dr.Osity from Imaginosity at their body science show; a fully interactive performance focusing on the magic of the body and how it works. From the brain and the skeletal system to your muscles and skin, Dr. Osity worked with the audience in a fun, unique way to help children learn all about their bodies through the mediums of song, movement and science! Afterwards we stopped by the Imagination Playground, where children were busy building a wonderland with larger-than-life-size spongy shapes.

7. Car-Aoke!

Nissan Car-Aoke Cork gave us a chance to check out the all new Nissan Micra with the BOSE personal audio system which you can use to blast out your favourite tunes and try your hand at Car-aoke! There was also some nice giveaways for lucky visitors and a car that could be coloured in with marker!

8. The Amazing Mr Fish

A circus, comedy, mime extravaganza, not since the vaudevillians of yesteryear have so many skills been seen in one amazing show… and not even they could do it with a fish down their trousers. Everyone got a serious kick out of this one.