It is the Castlebar community's chance to really showcase the town this summer with the In Humbert’s Footsteps festival on August 17 and 18. This is Mayo's flagship Gathering event and thousands will pour into the town to enjoy it. Now is your chance to get involved as a volunteer and put Castlebar firmly on the festival map.
In Humbert's Footsteps celebrates the Year of the French and General Humbert's historic landing in 1798. The impressive programme of family friendly events in a carnival atmosphere will attract widespread publicity at home and abroad. Highlights will include a faithful re-enactment of the world-famous Races of Castlebar in the very streets where the events originally took place. The prancing white charger, the roaring cannon, the firing muskets will all be there. The French will attack, the redcoats will counter and eventually flee pursued by the French military and volunteer pikemen. Over 100 re-enactors are coming from France and England to recreate the atmosphere, the noise and of course, the victory. It is almost unique for a military re-enactment to take place exactly on location, so Castlebar will be the focus of a lot of attention.
The success of this huge family festival depends on people volunteering their services and getting involved. This is a real chance to make a bit of history yourself and to be part of the very first In Humbert's Footsteps festival. Are you up for the challenge?
Everyone has something to offer - the organisers need marshals and marchers, pikemen and prop movers, safety staff and stewards. Full training will be provided where necessary and co-ordinators will be appointed so everyone knows exactly what they need to do and when. It is important that everyone visiting the town has a wonderful experience and goes home with great memories.
Please put your name forward now. Contact Gerard Deere on 087 772 4419 and make sure you are on the list.
