Food and craft market strikes a chord with the public
Outdoor events are effectively free from the terms and conditions that must be enforced if you wish to hold something indoors.
If you can drum up support and get the rain to stay away, you have a great chance of success - so it was in Castlelyons last Sunday.
FINE CROWD
Free admission was another selling point for those who went along to the Castlelyons Christmas Market & Food Fair held in the car park of Fr. Ferris Community Field last Sunday.
The early morning broke damp with a thick drizzle and was extremely cold and it didn’t look as if the day was going to improve, as organisers hoped and prayed for an improvement as a lot depended on a fine day.
By 10am at Fr. Ferris Park stallholders had begun to arrive, setting up their stalls in their allotted positions and within an hour, a tented village of some 40 sales pitches were in place.
From noon to 3.30pm, there was a constant stream of visitors – the bulk of them from the Castlelyons catchment.
It was a relaxed and festive atmosphere as the public strolled between the various stalls, who were offering a wide range of goods and services.
A festive and very sociable atmosphere prevailed with many shoppers meeting friends for the first time in a long time as the air filled with chatter and laughter - a real happy, seasonal, community atmosphere was evident.
LOTS OF PLANNING
This was no ‘pop up market’ and a lot of time and effort went in to securing the stall holders and allotting them their trading zones. The good news for organisers was that the car park was completely taken up with traders – who seemed pleased with the level of footfall.
In total, over 2,500 people passed through the ‘tented village’, a staggering number well beyond anyone’s expectations.
DRAW WELL SUPPORTED
A draw with a first prize of a €500 Christmas hamper is always attractive and there was no shortage of takers last Sunday. There’s still time to get your ticket as this draw isn’t scheduled to take place until Tuesday, 21st December.
SINCERE WORD OF THANKS
In what are challenging times for anyone on the fundraising trail, organisers of Castlelyons Christmas Market & Food Fair are very grateful for the public’s support. Those who subscribed can be assured their money will be well spent maintaining and developing the valuable amenity that is Fr. Ferris Community Field.
Congratulations must go to Anne Hegarty and Ann Barry who are responsible for this event and for making it the magnificent success that it was, ably assisted by James Kenny who is predisposed with invaluable organisational skills, which were again evident.
Dialogue will commence with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership early this week to discuss next year’s event and other options which presented themselves on the day.