With just four weeks to go, planning for Ballina Salmon Festival is well and truly underway, as the festival committee launches a packed programme of family friendly events, with emphasis on the arts, local musical talent and interactive events for all to enjoy. Ireland’s largest community festival, now in its 53rd year has announced an eight day bonanza, bursting at the seems with a variety of content to suit all tastes and ages from 9th – 16th July 2017.

Old and New Events of Festival 2017

The 2017 festival programme returns with old favourites including the International Night (9th July) National Heritage Day (12th July), busking competition (all days) Mardi Gras and Fireworks Night (15th July) rounding off the eights days with the kiddies favourite event; the teddy Bears Picnic (16th July).

 

 

The Garda Band returns to play Ballina

And great news as the Salmon Festival  Committee are delighted to announce the return of The Garda Band to Ballina on the National Heritage Day, 12th July.  A firm favourite with annual visitors to the festival and Ballina locals, the Garda Band will take centre stage at the top of O’Rahilly Street and entertain the thousands on this day.

 

New events include A night at the Proms, (10th July in the Great National Hotel Ballina) bringing together a performance of Ballina’s Choirs featuring 230 performers. A Celebration of traditional Irish Music on Friday (14th July) highlights the well known traditional Irish musical talent in the county, with a trad session to blow the roof of the Military quarter as Ballina’s own Flat Out headlines the night, with support from Gort na mBo and other great talented young folk.

County Antrim’s talent, country music singer Johnny Brady fly’s the Country and Western flag at the C & W night on Thursday 13th July, also playing in the Military Quarter of Ballina.

Whats most unusual is that the majority of the live outdoor music events will be playing in the heart of Ballina; in the towns military quarter.  Safe guarding the outdoor events is the Ballina Municipal District Council’s dome canopy covering the military quarter area. The canopy has already been used for the French Mayo Festival, Food Fleadh Ballina and the very successful concert featuring Kila and The Stunning in 2016. Most recently Ryan Sheridan with support from local Mayo groups entertained Ballina on Mayo Day in April 2017, under the canopy.

Children’s Programme of Events 2017

The Children’s Events committee have pulled out all the stops in 2017, with additional music workshops added. Catering for babies as young as 3 months old right up to 4 years of age, music workshop based in the Ballina Arts Centre has sparked the most enquiries to date.  But there is so much more to choose from including circus workshops, Papier Mache workshop, juvenile fishing competitions, treasure hunts, clay modelling, martial arts skills, fun sports day, paddling on the River Moy and good old fashioned fancy dress discos are just some of the events planned for the younger audience!!  What is most special is the return of the Junior Literary Awards, with prize giving for under 13 for short story and poetry competition.

Pre-Festival events

As if the eight days of the festival wasn’t enough, the committee are proud to include some pre festival fringe events, including two exhibitions ‘Tracing the Sublime’ Exhibition by Charlotte Lavelle in the Ballina Library and ‘Perspectives 11’ Exhibition, showcasing of emerging local artists in Ballina Arts Centre.

The annual Lady of the Moy competition, hosted by Great National Hotel Ballina on Friday 30th June is the traditional pre-festival entertaining night out, filled with music, glitz and glamour, The role of the winner is to represent Ballina Salmon Festival during festival week, and act as an ambassador for the town of Ballina throughout the following year – a great honour for the winning lady!

 

Book a Heritage Day Stall

There is still time to book a Heritage Day stall; with over 40,000 people descending upon the town of Ballina every Heritage day, this years scheduled day is Wednesday 12th July, you can book a heritage stall to sell or showcase your product. Apply for a stall and further information, Call 096 79814 or email heritage@ ballinasalmonfestival.ie

You can help Your Festival

The festival committee are seeking volunteers to lend a hand over the eight days; people can help by stewarding, on all the days all are welcome to come along and lend their support.

 

Further information on stewarding, and all the events of the festival at Festival Office:

Ballina Salmon Festival Office c/o Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse St, Ballina Contact 096 79814 and full festival information also available at www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie

Have A great festival 2017  #bsf2017