Glitz and Glam night to kick off fair festivities

THERE will be an evening of glitz and glam in the Riverside Park Hotel on May 25.

The evening which forms part of the build up to the 50th anniversary of the iconic Strawberry Fair will feature talks from two top Irish bloggers, Grace Mongey (FacesbyGrace) and Dominique Nugent (Love, Fashion and Fros).

The event will also include a fashion show with clothes from Runaway Bride and Millinery Madness and will conclude with a question and answer session with the two ladies. Tickets at 30 each are available on line on the Strawberry Festival Facebook page.

The programme for the festival which takes place over the June Bank Holiday weekend is now in place and Enniscorthy will rock to the sound of music, song and dance throughout the town’s first major summer festival of the year.

TV 3 will broadcast live from Enniscorthy on Saturday, June 3, as part of their planned schedule of programmes on summer festivals throughout Ireland.

Hotels and restaurants in Enniscorthy are gearing up to take part in an exciting new competition entitled `A taste of Enniscorthy’ which is being organised to find the most mouth watering desert of the summer.

The competition will be judged by Sven Herreman, Pastry Chef at Monart Destination Spa, and Rebecca O’Connor, the reigning Strawberry Queen.

Entry to the competition is €20 and tasting will take place on May 26, and the winner will be announced over the Strawberry Fair weekend.

Plans for the 50th anniversary Golden Strawberry Ball are well advanced and tickets for the event are now on sale. The ball takes place in The Riverside Park Hotel on Wednes- day night, May 31, with music being provided by `Wrecking ball’.

Attendees will enjoy a champagne and strawberries reception prior to dinner after which the 2017 Princesses will be introduced to the audience. A number of former Strawberry Queens who are returning to Enniscorthy for the 50th anniversary celebrations will also be present for the occasion.

The Street Rhythms committee have put together a superb programme of entertainment which will figure prominently during the Fair weekend. Their programme consists mainly of children’s events and dance routines with local dance troops performing on the main stage in the Market Square from 3.30 p.m. till 6p.m. on Saturday, June 3. They have also organised for a number of craft stalls to be located along Rafter Street featuring metal work, wood work, pottery making etc. which will certainly attract large numbers of visitors during the day. A particular highlight of their Sunday, June 4, programme will be the appearance of Willy Wonka and his fairytale friends. Children are invited to join him in Enniscorthy Castle and on the streets of Enniscorthy and to participate in the activities which will take place throughout the afternoon and to enjoy the fun which include a bucking bronco, inflatable games, sumo suits and much more. More activities are planned for the Abbey Square where the All Ireland Farmers Market will take pride of place on Sunday, June 4. This event always attracts its own following and a very large crowd can be expected. Visitors to the Abbey Square will also be able to enjoy the Fair’s classic car show and vintage amusements which includes a ferris wheel and other attractions which are suitable for all the family.