ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR

AS it celebrates its 70th birthday the Kingdom County Fair remains as popular as ever.

The 70th running of the event took place at Ballybeggan Racecourse on Sunday afternoon with thousands of people from all over the county descending on the track to enjoy a jam-packed day full of family entertainment.

The weather certainly favoured Tralee as the historic racecourse was bathed in warm sunshine for most of the day.

The good weather no doubt helped draw the crowds with somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 people visiting the fair over the course of the day.

Kerry GAA star and Dancing With The Stars winner Aidan O’Mahony was on hand to cut the ribbon and get events underway at 9.30am on Sunday morning and after that there was a steady stream of people passing through the gates into Ballybeggan right though the day.

Those that came along to enjoy the festivities will have had plenty to keep them occupied with attractions ranging from dog shows and children’s games and activities to livestock shows; show jumping; craft demonstrations; music; vintage vehicle and machinery displays; cookery demos; scores of trade stalls and numerous demonstrations by various emergency response teams and community groups.

A few notable highlights among the many attractions dotted around the racecourse were a vortex tunnel, which resembled a giant walk through kaleidoscope; piglet racing and the chainsaw wood sculpture demonstrations by Will Fogarty of Fear na Coillte Chainsaw Sculptures.

There really was something for everyone and judging by the smiles on the faces around the course the latest edition of the long-running fair was a big hit with the public.

The first fair – then called the Kerry industrial show – took place back in 1948 in three venues in Tralee: the old Theatre Royal (once used as Fabric Night Club); the Old Infirmary Grounds that became Gleasures Sawmills and in Tralee Town Park.

As the crowds grew there was the need for a larger venue and the fair first moved to Ballymullen Barracks before moving to its current home in Ballybeggan in back in 1982.

Tom McCarthy – who was the winner of the Eddie Hayes Memorial Cup at the Kingdom County Fair on Sunday – with his yearling. Presenting Tom. With the cup are Edwina and Helen Hayes.

Sinead McSweeney, Lydia Zavadska and Liz McSweeney with one of the lambs that was on show at the Kingdom County Fair at the weekend.

Off to the dog show with their dog Toby: Shauna,Mary and Olivia Buckley (Castlegregory) at the Kingdom County Fair

Twins Aideen and Evelyn Flaherty with their parents Claire and Conor at the Kingdom County Fair at Ballybeggan on Sunday.

Among the large crowd that enjoyed the Kingdom County Fair in Tralee on Sunday were Sue Ann and Ellen O’Brien from Listellick

The Quilters from Listowel – Kevin, Nora, Josh and Julia – at the Kingdom County Fair at Ballybeggan in Tralee on Sunday

Little Jessica Cregan having fun at the Kingdom County Fair in Ballybeggan.