33rd Festival celebrates Irish Culture and Heritage
THE Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival opens on Saturday 4 th August and runs up to the highlight of the festival, which is The Old Fair Day on Wednesday 8 th August. This is a five day festival, with something for all the family to enjoy in the South Sligo town.
The festival is in its 33rd year and the committee, all of whom are volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The festival opens with the popular Teddy Bear Picnic in the Forest Walk hosted by Lollipop Lane Crèche on Saturday. This is followed by a free concert on the Square with Declan Nerney & band, supported by UNOWHO. The Country & Western star is due on stage at 9pm for what promises to be a great night of entertainment. The queen of Country, Lisa Mc Hugh is also coming to Tubbercurry for this year’s festival and will entertain the crowds on the Fair Day.
Sunday is the family Fun Day sponsored by Surlis’s Supervalu, Tubbercurry, which is always a hugely popular day, full of free entertainment from face painting, crafts, fun races, colouring competitions, fancy dress and much more. This year for the first time ever, the festival will showcase Realta Circus performers and World Class BMX bikers.
On Monday there is a 5 a side soccer tournament and a 5k run/walk in aid of the Community Park. On Tuesday there is the ever popular Treasure Hunt on the Square at 5pm.
Then the highlight will be the Old Fair Day on Wednesday, with loads of heritage, arts and crafts. There will be live demonstrations and workshops throughout the day in the craft village, which includes glass blowing, pottery, ironmongery, thatching, rush work and many more. There will also be the expanding vintage collection of tractors, cars and machinery.
This year the committee are delighted to welcome Sligo Volunteer Centre who will host an exhibition, displays from community groups and talks in the hall.
Live on stage at 12pm is Shane Mc Gowan & Friends followed at 3pm by Lisa Mc Hugh and Band.
This is one of the longest running festivals and is probably unique in so far as Sunday events and the Old Fair Day on Wednesday are free to everyone young and old.
Come along and enjoy all the fun and excitement that is The Old Fair Day festival in Tubbercurry.