Now that's hen-tertainment!
With 50 or more hens set to descend on Cavan this weekend, each bringing a party averaging about 15, what better time for Cavan Summer Festival to lay on an eggs-ellent programme of entertainment, kicking off with Friday's magical street pageant that will animate Cavan as it's never been before. Sinead Hogan previews this weekend's line-up of events... Whatever the weather, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday are set to make for one hot weekend in Cavan town! Cavan Summer Festival and International Hen Weekend officially open in style with a Magical Mid Summer Samba Pageant throughout the town on Friday at 8pm. A host of Samba bands from all over the country, stilt walkers, fire dancers, mad hatters and pageantry of all description will animate the streets of Cavan for what promises to be a spectacular night. With a massive €4,000 in prizes to be won, the committee are calling on all clubs, businesses or just groups of friends to enter into the spirit of the pageant and enter a float or group. "It's free to enter with some massive prize money up for grabs in these trying times," says Linda O'Reilly, organiser. Entries must be registered at 086-6088451. Festival-goers can throw your hat in the ring on Friday for the Mad Hatters fancy dress to top off the spectacle. "Fancy dress parties are becoming more popular every year and we are looking forward to seeing the comical characters that come out to play once fancy dress is mentioned. People put in a huge effort and Cavan Summer Festival intends to reward their efforts well with a spectacular prize fund of €2,000 to be won," says Linda. A full samba concert will take place on the market square after the street pageant with music continuing both indoors and out throughout town until late. Saturday sees world record attempts, racing pigs and Elvis return from the grave. A fiesta of music and street theatre will provide the soundtrack for Saturday shoppers during the day, and that evening the quiet cobble-stones of Bridge Street will be the scene of a golf ball race world record attempt. The goal is to release a staggering 10,000 golf balls down the street with the first lucky ball over the line winning €1,000. Linda urges people to support a worthy cause by buying a ball for €5 to support Cystic Fibrosis, Cavan. "It is an awesome task to sell 10,000 balls and a huge amount of work has gone in to making this unique event a success. Many people are affected by Cystic Fibrosis locally and we would like to raise as much money as possible for this wonderful charity. With less than two weeks left we thank all of those who have already donated and urge those who haven't yet to buy a ball." Balls can be bought at www.cavansummerfestival.ie or from sellers at venues in Cavan Town. Sunday is family fun day at the Egg Market. "If your little one is a budding actress, diva, superhero or just likes dressing up, head for the junior fancy dress on Sunday starting in the Market Square at 1pm with prizes for all who dress the part." A massive balloon release will officially open the family fun day of face-painting, a bungee run, stomp rockets, go-carts, a boxing display with a chance to spar with some of the local champions, sumo wrestling and much more. A Honda 50 run will start at the Orchard Bar and a vintage car and tractor display takes place in Tesco Carpark. The Great Big Talent Show will bring some stunning sounds to the Market Square on Sunday afternoon with some favourites from Cavan's Got Talent joining the line up. The festivities will continue with more pig racing and Flash Harry taking to the stage on lower Main Street on Sunday night. For full and detailed preview, see this week's The Anglo-Celt. See cavansummerfestival.ie or contact 086-6088451.