Athlone Summer Fest returns this weekend, offering plenty of free family fun and activities. Taking place over Saturday July 14 and Sunday July 15 the festival, which is supported by Athlone Town Council, offers free activities and entertainment for all ages.
The festival programme includes an Artisan Market on Saturday July 14 at The Bawn and Civic Square while local buskers will perform at various locations throughout the town in the afternoon. Entertainment that evening will be provided by local DJ, Shane McCarron from the festival stage at Main Street carpark (at the rear of Athlone Castle ) from 8pm to 9.30pm, followed by a fire show from Tonnta Street Theatre at Main Street and Custume Place between 9pm and 10pm. The evening will finish up with headline act The Ginger Biscuits from the festival stage between 9.30pm and 11.30pm.
Sunday July 15 brings another day of entertainment and activities commencing with a catch and release pike fishing competition (downriver ) leaving from Burgess Park at 10.30am (weather permitting ). A pot of gold children’s treasure hunt will take place at 1pm in Burgess Park with special characters making an appearance to guide the children along the way. Organisers stress that participating children must be accompanied by an adult. Burgess Park will be a hive of activity for all the family between 2-5pm. Activities and events include giant slides, bouncing castles, face-painting, tonnta characters and street performers, rodeo bull, pillow challenge, penalty shoot out, and chuggy playcentre. Bozo The Clown’s children’s magic show will take place from 2.30-3.30pm.
Local karate club, Matsubayashi Shorinryu International Karate Club will display their skills between 3pm-3.30pm and a selection of family novelty races including egg and spoon, three-legged and sack races will be held from 3-4pm.
There will also be performances on the day by Athlone Pipe Band from 2-2.30pm, Athlone Town Youth Marching Band will play from 3-3.30pm, Starlight Dance Troupe perform from 4-4.30pm, and The Ravens Marching Band from 4.30-5pm.
Also not to be missed is a vintage tractor display which will be located at Burgess Park throughout the afternoon.
The festival programme outlining events, times, and locations can be found at www.athlone.ie/summerfest
