Amid all the excitement surrounding this year’s Bray Air Display – the first to expand into a two-day festival, following the 90,000-strong crowd that showed up last year – it was inevitable that there’d be a few snags.
And sure enough, things have gotten off to a shaky start – with delays, dodgy weather, and some people questioning whether any planes are going to show up at all almost an hour after the scheduled midday start time.
Of course, these festivals are always subject to weather-related delays, and a spokesperson for the event said:
There are no delays. We advised people that the event – which includes on the ground activity, food and craft village, funfair and a static army display – kicks off at noon.
Our message was to arrive early to fully enjoy the whole event and not miss anything due to delays in getting here.
She added: “Air activity will start shortly.”
But so far, the #BrayAirDisplay hashtag hasn’t made for particularly positive reading…
#BrayAirDisplay waiting patiently for something to happen, no sign of the planes yet ….
— Sandra de jong (@sandradejong56) July 23, 2016
Darts from Greystones to #BrayAirDisplay is a disaster, waiting nearly 40 mins and nothing!!! #wtf #nightmare
— jem (@Jemserjellyfish) July 23, 2016
Anyone know what time the planes will be here ?! #BrayAirDisplay
— Rob Battigan (@robbatts) July 23, 2016
Worried worried worried… #BrayAirDisplay pic.twitter.com/waiB5TNdEq
— Michele (@_mic_mel) July 23, 2016
Kid getting bored now and filling his buggy with stones! Time for some aircraft… #BrayAirDisplay
— michael culleton (@mickculleton) July 23, 2016
Seems to be running an hour late. Hoping it doesn’t rain in the mean time. #BrayAirDisplay pic.twitter.com/Ao47bzt0jU
— Nigel Hanlon (@nigelhanlon) July 23, 2016
It’s forcing some to find novel ways to pass the time…
Some interesting seagull flight formations off Killiney Hill while we wait. #BrayAirDisplay
— Anthony Hoban (@Anthoban) July 23, 2016
A toddler fell over and a small handful of wet stones fell out of her mouth. #BrayAirDisplay
— James Kelleher (@etienneshrdlu) July 23, 2016
But hey. At least it’s not all bad…
To whoever has dropped the lures at the #brayairdisplay #brayairshow I thank you! #pokemonGo #bray
— Marissa Ní Mhaonaigh (@rights_4_lgbt) July 23, 2016