Chairman of the Athlone Festival and Events Group, Mr. Shay Hamilton, has called upon the local public to gather en masse in the Civic Square on Sunday afternoon for the formal switching on of the new Christmas lights display.
“This year, the newly formed Athlone Festival and Events Group is taking the lead on the provision of not only a new Christmas lighting display but also the purchase of twelve timber market cabins and festival bunting, banners and flags. There will also be the provision of permanent all year round lighting on some key trees throughout the town. This overall €200,000 investment will definitely be of great assistance in promoting and marketing Athlone on an ongoing basis,” Mr. Hamilton remarked.
Welcoming the news, Town Mayor, Cllr. Frankie Keena, noted that this massive investment in festival and events infrastructure for Athlone will most definitely add to the ambiance and attractiveness of the town as a tourist destination which in turn will increase footfall for our business sectors.
“The investment will further enhance the town for the benefit for the local community. The implementation of such a project will also be of assistance to the IDA in attracting new industries to the town.
“I wish to thank the Athlone Festival and Events Group which is representative of community groups in the Athlone area who provide various festivals throughout the year, Athlone Chamber of Commerce and the business sector, Leader programme, LCDC and Westmeath County Council for all their advice and financial support with this project,” Cllr. Keena commented.
Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, Chairman of the ‘Switching on Christmas Lights’ committee remarked that he and his colleagues were looking forward to launching the new lights in style on next Sunday.
“Last year, 1000 people joined us to turn on the Christmas lights, this year we are expecting more. We have a great programme, new entertainment, new lights and a few surprises too. Next Sunday promises to be a fantastic start to Christmas 2019 in Athlone,” Cllr. O’Rourke enthused.
