Street Festival is back!
Ballyconnell festival is coming back to the town this year and organisers promise it will be bigger and better than ever!
The festival, the brainchild of the Ballyconnell Town Development Team, is described as a "family fun day". It is packed with five days of entertainment, suitable for all ages.
The festival will kick off on Thursday, August 3, bringing the community together for a table quiz with the McKenna family perpetual trophy and cash prizes up for grabs.
Cavan’s very own Eamonn Jackson will open musical performances on Friday night from 9-11pm, where you can jive, waltz and quick-step through the Main Street to some of his classics ‘The Way I Am,’ ‘Same Old Love,’ and ‘The Dawning of the Day'.
A day at the fair will follow on Saturday with craft and food stalls, face painting, entertainment and a toy tractor run for kids, sponsored by Ballyconnell Credit Union. Also featuring on the Saturday will be a tour of BallyConnell Fire Station and an underage blitz at Kildallen GAA football pitch.
Even your furry friends can get involved in the town festivities with a pet show, which will take place behind Larry Lee’s pub. Cavan man Nigel Levingstone will keep the crowd on their toes with his ‘One Man Band’ entertainment, bringing county classics such as ‘Little Old Wine Drinker Me’ from 2:30-4:30pm. The atmosphere will be later revved up with a performance from Fermanagh band The Tumbling Paddies, who will add a mix of pop, trad and folk music to the streets from 9-11pm.
Duck run
Bring the quack on Sunday with a duck run sponsored by Ballyconnell Gun Club. On Sunday evening, you’ll be waiting for Lousiana's finest entertainer Robert Mizzell to ‘Say You Love Me’ with great anticipation. As his song goes, you will be ‘Livin’ the Life’ from 9-11pm with his Country tunes.
“Bar extensions will take place throughout the town during the first three nights,” assured chairperson of the committee, Larry Lee.
Sing along to Donegal band ‘One for the Road’ on Monday night from 8-10pm, who are sure to close the festival with a bang.
As a Border town and with new nationalities joining the community, the committee believe it is important to hold events such as this to get people out and socialising.
“It brings more business to the town,” said Larry, explaining there will be a “buzz around the town” throughout the weekend.
“It’s a great family day out, the music will bring a lift to the streets and create a good vibe,” secretary Gail McCoy added.
The Committee urged that musical events will be strictly ticket only. Tickets can be purchased online or in two ticket booths in the town - one on Church Street and one at the community centre. Keep and eye on the Ballyconnell Town Development Facebook page for further information. Daily road closures will take place throughout the festival, motorists are asked to use the Ballyconnell bypass road and avoid the town as much as possible, with no parking permitted on the main street.
The committee thanked local businesses for their continuous support for events held throughout the year and welcome everyone to come along and enjoy the festival atmosphere.
“Only for the local businesses, this wouldn’t happen,” committee member Damien Brady said.