THE BIGGEST fancy-dress event in Ireland attracted thousands of people to Cork pubs as part of the second annual Decades Festival which is hoped will rival the Guinness Jazz Festival in the years to come.
The Decades Festival took place in 60 pubs in Cork over the weekend.
Participants were asked to come in fancy dress from the decade of their choice – be it the roaring 20s or swinging 60s.
Pubs taking part provided music and entertainment, and made an effort to create the illusion of times past with venues decorated to reflect their chosen decade.
Last year the event mostly involved city-centre pubs, but this year a decision was made to extend it to the suburbs, the chairman of the festival, Con Dennehy, said.
“Last year was about putting our foot in the water and seeing whether the whole concept would work and learning by what didn’t work and using more of what did.
“We have now extended the festival to Douglas, Bishopstown and so on and so forth,” Mr Dennehy added.
Festival co-ordinator Adrienne Hickey said 20 additional venues came on board this year after the success of the inaugural event in 2009.
The 1980s and 1990s proved be the most popular theme decades.
A website, www.decadesfestivalcork.ie was launched, and provided information about the bands and entertainment on offer over the weekend.