Big crowds set for Ballinasloe Fair and Festival this weekend
The first of two weekends of Ballinalsoe Horse Fair & Festival activity starts on Sunday (October 4), the event bringing together centuries of tradition, community spirit and entertainment.
The opening two days of proceedings, on Sunday and Monday, focus on the traditional horse fair, with the 'Horse of the Fair' and 'Pony of the Fair' lunging competitions the main attractions.
The opening days of the fair have drawn visitors, traders, horse enthusiasts and families to Ballinasloe from across Ireland and much further afield.
From Tuesday evening, attention turns to a busy programme of heritage and festival events.
Gullane’s Hotel will host the annual heritage night on Tuesday, October 6, at 8pm.
This year’s presentation, 'Snapshots of Ballinasloe Fair & Galway Life from Newspaper Reports, 1750–2000', will be delivered by Steve Dolan.
Drawing on newspaper reports spanning 250 years, the evening will bring to life the characters, stories and events that helped shape the Ballinasloe Fair.
The second of an attraction laden weekend begins on Friday, October 9, when families are invited to the Marina Car Park for entertainment from 7pm, followed by fireworks at 8.30pm.
Main Street will host the Festival Street Tug of War on Tuesday evening, an event that traditionally attracts plenty of support.
Saturday, October 10, is one of the busiest days of the festival.
The horse fair continues, while the Fair Green will host a sheep display from 10am, celebrating Ballinasloe’s strong agricultural traditions.
The mare and foal classes will take place in the Fair Green sand arena, featuring Connemara, Irish Draught and other brood mare and foal classes.
The festival sound stage will provide live entertainment in the town centre from 12pm to 6pm, with Sean Slattery and The Connections performing at 3.30pm.
Meanwhile, Her Excellency Kara Owen CMG CVO, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland, will visit Ballinasloe on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday evening concludes with a steam parade and display in St Michael’s Square from 8pm.
The festival reaches its finale on Sunday, October 11, with a programme of free family entertainment.
The food and craft market opens in St Michael’s Square from 9am, while the static vintage show, in association with Ballinasloe Vintage Club, will take place on Main Street and Society Street from 10am.
The festival marquee on Society Street features music, a puppet show and a children’s magician from 12pm.
An open dog show starts in St Michael’s Square at 1pm, while Dunlo Street will host three Motorbike Stunt Shows at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
The festival’s adult baking competition, together with the junior baking and craft competitions, will take place in the marquee on Dunlo Street, with entries accepted from 11.30am.
The afternoon will finish with the junior tractor derby and kids’ tug of war from 4.15pm.
The Fox McFadden Fun Fair will also be in town throughout the festival from 1–11 October.
Festival chairman Mal Croffey said the committee was looking forward to another memorable festival.
“The Fair & Festival is a very special time for Ballinasloe. It brings together our heritage, our agricultural traditions and a wide range of entertainment for all ages," the chairman said.
The committee has expressed its sincere thanks to the main sponsors and supporters whose financial backing makes the festival possible, including Galway County Council, Gateway Credit Union, Gullane’s Hotel & Conference Centre, Supermac’s, Centra, Moycarn Lodge & Marina, Galway Rural Development, Triur Construction, The Bread Basket, Fox McFadden Fun Fair, KPW Print Management, Jim Derwin Equestrian, Shearwater Hotel & Spa and Ballinasloe Vintners.