Ballinrobe’s popular Queen of the Lakes festival kicks off today (Friday ), and it will conclude on Monday when the 2011 Queen of the Lakes is chosen at the annual selection pageant, held in association with Papa John’s Pizza.
A full programme of events will ensure the festival is one of the highlights of the social calendar in Ballinrobe, and guarantees a busy Bank Holiday weekend in the town.
The opening event will be two arts and crafts sessions for children, and a teen drumming session with Anthony McNamee in the local youth centre.
Saturday will see a teddy bear picnic and fancy dress for the younger children.
Saturday night will be an extremely busy night with a tug-o-war, slow bicycle race, a teenage Gig on the Green, and a lorry pull by Ballinrobe GAA Club.
The big attraction on Sunday night will be the ever-popular Big Generator live on Main Street. They are expected to draw a huge crowd and are currently very popular on the festival circuit.
Throughout the weekend, anglers will take part in the World Cup Brown Trout competition on Lough Mask, and Monday will see the final of this prestigious event. Each day boats will depart at 11am, and weigh-in is at 6pm on Cushlough Pier every evening.
On Monday night, the 2011 Queen of the Lakes will be selected.
There will be music and entertainment in local pubs over the weekend.
The Queen chosen on Monday night will preside over social and community events in the region for the next 12 months.
The Queen tradition started almost 25 years ago when the Queen of the Mask contest was held. The selection contest has always attracted huge crowds.
The reigning Queen, Aisling McGovern, will be on hand to place the tiara on the crown of the new Queen. Contestants will take part from all around the Lake District.
The winning girl will go forward to next year’s Rose of Mayo contest. The winner in the Rose of Mayo takes part in the Rose of Tralee.
Full programme
Friday, July 29:
Arts and crafts for kids, 10.30am to 12 noon, and 12.30pm to 2.30pm, Tacu premises, Ballinrobe;
Teen drumming session with Anthony McNamee, in Maple Youth Centre, 7pm to 9pm.
Saturday, July 30:
12 noon to 2pm – teddy bear picnic and fancy dress, Lakeside Sports & Fitness Centre – special guests will be Dora and Diego;
7pm: Annual tug-o-war and slow bicycle race, Abbey Street;
8.15pm: Ballinrobe GAA Club pull-a-truck challenge, where the club will attempt to pull a 14-tonne truck right around the town;
8pm to 10pm: Gig on the Green, live music concert with talented young bands and DJ Dexter. All proceeds in aid of Maple Youth Centre;
Sunday, July 31:
8.30pm: Big Generator, live on Main Street;
Monday, August 1:
Final of World Cup angling. Weigh-in, Cushlough Pier, 6pm;
9pm: Queen of the Lakes finale, tickets on sale in Martin Murphy’s Newsagents.
