MORE THAN 40,000 people were involved in a witch hunt in Waterford yesterday, with the city taking a “Flight of Fantasy” to the Middle Ages, a scorching land full of the maniacal witches, pompous cardinals and raucous cavemen, all thanks to arts organisation Spraoi.

Flying pigs, winged horses, human canon balls and lead balloons brought fun and mayhem to the People’s Park during the annual Spraoi in the Park event. This is the second year the arts group has run the park-based event, in advance of its more established citywide Spraoi Festival on the August bank holiday weekend.

As well as a parade, there were music, street theatre, puppet shows, workshops, installations and for the first time, cinema in the park. Interactive animal demonstrations and a story telling caravan were also a big hit.

Spraoi director TV Honan said yesterday: “It was a really fantastic day, not alone for Spraoi but for Waterford. It was such a good-humoured explosion of events and the people soaked up the positive atmosphere.”