Ten in the running for Queen of the Lakes crown

Cory Kilbane

The annual Queen of the Lakes Festival kicks off in Ballinrobe this coming Friday and promises to be a fun-filled weekend for all the family.
The Ballinrobe Festival committee have revealed an exciting line-up of events over the three days from Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2.
The events include a Heritage Day, markets, music on the street with Marty Mone and The Neil Diamond experience, along with children’s events and sporting competitions.
The highlight of the festival, the crowning of the newest Queen of the Lakes, will take place on Friday, June 30, in the Valkenburg Hotel. Last year’s winner, Alison Madden will be in attendance and will do the honour of handing over her title following an eventful year for her, in which she also participated in the Mayo Rose competition in Claremorris.
“A fairground has already been confirmed for the town over the weekend. A teddy bear’s picnic will open the festival at St Joseph’s NS at 2pm on Friday,” said Committee Chairperson Monica Horan.
“Events on Saturday include a soccer club blitz, a fun day and a sponsored walk from 10am to 5pm. The Cornmarket will be brought back to olden days from 11am to 5pm on Saturday as the Heritage Day and markets take over the area,” she said.
There will also be an art exhibition at the Church railings and Junior Einstein’s Kids Science fun event will be held at the Parish Centre at 2pm.
For people traveling around the time of the event, Abbey Street will be closed off to traffic from 8pm for a country and western night.
Marty Mone of ‘Hit the Diff, Slip the Clutch’ will be providing the music on the night.
The main street of the town will be closed off on Sunday for a family fun day from 2pm which will then be concluded with music by ‘Martin and Ryan’ followed by ‘The Neil Diamond Experience’.
“The committee hope there is something for every member of the family at this year’s festival. We are really hoping the weather is in our favour as there are some great events taking place,” concluded Ms Horan.