Electric โขPicnic 2023 Draws Crowds,โ Local Pride, and Concerns Over Waste
STRAFFAN,โ Co. Kildare – Electricโ Picnic 2023 concluded Sunday, leaving behind a trail of positive economic impact for the local community alongside growing concerns about post-festival cleanup. The annual music and arts festival, heldโค in the grounds of Stradbally Hall, drew large crowds and featuredโค performances fromโ artists including Chappell Roan, whileโฃ also highlighting the dedication of local volunteers.
Theโฃ festival’s โคsignificanceโ extends beyond entertainment, providing a substantial โขboost โto the local โeconomy and fostering community spirit. However, attendees’ disposal of camping equipment-notably tents-after the event hasโค sparked disappointment among residents who โvalue the festival’s presence in their town.
Siobhรกnโค O’Connor, a local resident, attended with her three children, Ally, Tom, and Lucy Fraser, to support their father, โMichael Fraser, whoโ performed with the Timahoe Male choir. O’Connor, a yearly festival volunteer, โฃexpressed pride inโค hosting the event, stating, “As locals we love โฃhaving this. We are vrey proud toโ have this in our town.”
Whileโ attendees praised the festival experience, including Chappell Roan’s Friday night performanceโค on theโค Main Stage, concerns were raised regarding the volume of waste left behind. O’Connor noted the issue of abandoned tents, suggesting, “If all these young people appreciated their tents, and brought them back next year, that โขwould be better.” โ
Festivalโ organizers have not yet releasedโ official figures on attendance or waste collected,โข but the issue ofโ post-event cleanup remains a recurring โฃchallenge for the event โคand the surrounding community. The sentiment echoes a broader conversationโ about โsustainability and responsible event practices within the festival circuit.
