Opening on Saturday 5th August, the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival is set to be the best ever. In this, its 32nd year, the community based festival was chosen as the 14th top festival to visit in the world by Canadian’s Flight Network. That’s quite an achievement for a festival run entirely by volunteers.
Under the chairmanship of Sean Mc Donagh, Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival has developed into a five day festival leading up to the highlight, the Old Fair Day itself on Wednesday 9th August. Some of the highlights are as follows:
Saturday 5th August
The Teddy Bear’s Picnic at 3pm is a favourite for all and 5-a-side soccer tournament, the wonderfully named ‘Header’s Cup’ at 6pm will definitely be worth watching.
Sunday 6th August
The Family Fun Day sponsored by Surlis’s SuperValu with marquees full of food tasting and free entertainment from face painting, crafts and pottery to juggling workshops. Add in games, bouncy castles, a tractor pull, kids race, stilt walker and fancy-dress competition to produce a fabulous day out for everyone. Oh and watch out for a CoderDojo workshop and fun activities in the Bank of Ireland marquee.
Tuesday 8th August
At 12 noon, the Chamber of Commerce will host a Pride of Place Showcase of Community and Businesses. This will be followed by Pavement Art for Children at 1pm, a Children’s Matinee in the Hall and the ever popular family treasure hunt starting at 5pm in the Square
Wednesday 9th August
The Old Fair Day itself from 9am to 6pm with a host of stalls and live demonstrations in the craft village of everything from glass blowing, spinning, weaving and basket making to thatching and thrashing. Everywhere you look there’s something to see, something to do and something to entertain you. It’s a wonderful and proud celebration of Irish heritage and traditional crafts and a wonderful day out for all the family in this historic South Sligo town. The main stage will have everyone from Shane McGowan and friends to the Sligo Rose and Lee Matthews with his band. Ocean FM are broadcasting live all morning.
Entry to both their Family Fun Day and Old Fair Day is free to the public, a tradition they are proud to uphold. Every night Murray’s Funfair keeps the festival atmosphere alive.
For more information, check their Facebook and Twitter or visit the website www.oldfairday.ie #OldFairDay
