Spraoi '99 to bring music, street theatre, and a carnival atmosphere to Waterford.
Thousands of visitors are expected in Waterford this weekend for the annual Spraoi street festival.
The festival brings an international flavour, with performers from Australia, South America, Africa and Eastern Europe. Spraoi is one of the 17 designated millennium festivals taking place across Ireland.
The festival was launched with a performance by Mugenkyo, Europe's only Taiko drumming band.
Festival organisers describe it as one of the biggest street festivals in the country.
Festival director T.V. Honan, says Waterford will have more than 400 gigs over three days, as the city becomes a gathering place for people from at home and abroad. Over 100,000 people are expected to visit Waterford over the weekend, generating over £1 million for the city.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 31 July 1999. The reporter is Helen McInerney.
