With a week to go preparations are in full swing for the Westport Festival of Sport fun day, which is to be held in conjunction with the Gaelforce adventure race weekend on Sunday August 23 from 1pm to 5pm, centred around the Mall area in Westport.
The event, co-ordinated by the Mayo Sports Partnership, promises to be full of fun activities such as the family sports challenge (incorporating 12 different sports ), water sports, traditional games, bouncy castle/fun inflatables, walking challenges, street orienteering, inclusive games, a 5km fun run/walk and the fourth annual Mayo Team Challenge.
Speaking about the event, newly elected Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council and Festival of Sport organising committee member Cllr Myles Staunton said: “The day aims to showcase Westport as an active town providing opportunities for people of all age/ability to participate in a fun and cost free event.
“Many local sports organisations including GAA, soccer, rugby, golf, tennis, camogie, cycling, boxing, road bowling, water sports including canoeing, sailing, etc. are coming together to provide a ‘come and try it’ challenge to all. All sports organisations deserve to be commended for their great community work and I would appeal for all local clubs to become involved on the day,” Cllr Staunton went on to say.
It is hoped that some well known sports personalities from the soccer, GAA and rugby world will be in attendance and try out some of the challenges. Many organisations including Westport Town Council, Mayo County Council, Mayo Sports Partnership, Irish Sports Council, Fáilte Ireland, Chamber of Commerce, Gardaí, Mayo VEC, GMIT, Mayo Water Safety Committee, Family Resource Centre, Local Sports Organisations and many others are pooling resources in an effort to make this day a success. Many local businesses are also providing much needed support on the day.
“The support has been tremendous from all sides and on behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone we approached. In the current climate its all about making an event sustainable and mainly cost free,” commented Mayo Sports Partnership co-ordinator and committee member Charlie Lambert.
In a further boost to the day the festival organisers were the lucky winners of a free, live nationwide broadcast for their community event, thanks to RTÉ 2FM and Kellogg’s Let’s Get Active campaign, which takes place throughout the month of August. Celebrity DJ Larry Gogan will be booming out the hits from 2pm to 5pm.
So pencil in Sunday August 23 from 1pm to 5pm on the South Mall, Westport for an unforgettable experience. For further information on how to enter any of the above events or on the day in general contact Mayo Sports Partnership at 094 904 7025.
The public are asked to note that both sides of the Mall from McGreevy’s and O’Grady’s to the Fairgreen will be closed to traffic from 8am to 6pm on Sunday August 23 to facilitate the activities of the festival.
