Entrants sought for Offaly Rose of Tralee 2013

Girls and businesses alike are being encouraged to get on board with this year's Rose of Tralee festival. The Offaly Rose selection will take place on May 3 in the Tullamore Court Hotel, but organisers are outlining even now the advantages for businesses and other groups involved with the festival. The advantages for potential Roses are clear. The overall winner of the competition gets a €25,000 world travel prize fund, the use of a brand new car for the year, a treasure trove of Newbridge jewellery and a chance to become an ambassador not just for her county but also for her country. Offaly's 2012 Rose Sharon Touhey said this week she will remember her year as the Offaly Rose forever. "The night I received my sash it was obvious to me that the Rose of Tralee was more than a competition, and I had become part of a huge family," she said. "I have made new friends from all around Ireland and throughout the world, with open invites to travel and visit. The Rose of Tralee festival presents a huge number of opportunities to its Roses of which one could not even dream of and is something I would encourage all girls to take part in." Getting involved with the festival can also be a good experience for groups associated with a Rose however. Any group can nominate their Rose for the event for €250, with their champion then going on to the Tullamore Court Hotel selections on May 3 and the winning Rose there going on to represent Offaly at the regional festival in Portlaoise in June. "This is a wonderful opportunity for your community and for Offaly to become part of the 2012 International Rose of Tralee Festival," organisers said. "The fee for nominating an entrant is €250 and the entrant will carry the name of your community or area on her sash throughout the many events which will be held during the county selection." The 2013 Rose of Tralee will be crowned on August 20, live on RTE television. The surrounding festival will take place from August 14, while the regional festival in Portlaoise will take place from May 30 until June 3. More information and application forms are available by visiting www.roseoftralee.ie, emailing Steve at steve@roseoftralee.ie or by calling Emer or Damian on 085 7196436 or 087 7727454.