Glenravel Festival gets underway on Friday

Starting on Friday, August 21, and running until Sunday, August 30, a packed programme of events is planned for this special anniversary year.

Brendan McKeown, Chairman of the Glenravel Festival committee, said: “For this year, we have put on a schedule of events which we hope everyone will be able to enjoy.

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who came along to last year’s events and also to those of you who have suported us for the last 19 years.

“It is only due to your continued suppport that we can continue to run festival week.

“A massive appreciation must go to all of the committee members and helpers who make the festival possible.

“Without the continued support of current members, and of course new people joining us, we simply could not run the festival.”

The festival gets underway on Friday with a performance by Ritchie Remo at the festival marquee. Tickets for this over 18 event are £7. For more information contact Benny on 07999 648 551.

On Saturday, August 22, there will be sheep dog trials from 10am at Tufftarney Road; a camogie blitz at Fr Maginn Park from 11am; a soccer match at Cargan football pitch at 11am; a ramble leaving from Glenravel Chapel carpark at 1pm; then on Saturday night look forward to a ‘Session in the Skerry’ featuring traditional music from local artists which gets underway at 10pm.

On Sunday, August 23, there will be a ‘Big Breakfast’ at the community sports complex from 9am; football blitz at Fr Maginn Park at 10am; a Kids Cycle from 1.30pm; recreational football at Fr Maginn Park at 2.30pm; and a Tug O’ War at the marquee at 7pm.

Events continue on Monday, August 24 with a coffee morning and creative workshop from 10am to 1pm in the community sports complex; Carnival Kids runs from 10am to 1pm in the marquee; a pet show at Greenhills at 6pm; and the Twin Peaks race at 7pm, with registration from 6.30pm in Cargan PS.

On Tuesday, August 25, there will be a golf competition teeing off at Cushendall Golf Course at 8.30am; the seniors coach trip sets off at 9am; from 10am to 1pm there will be a coffee morning and creative workshop in the community sports complex; the carnival kids continues from 10am to 1pm in the marquee; there will be a kids movie night at the community sports complex at 6.30pm; festival darts at the Glensway Tavern from 8pm, with the golf presentation at 9pm.

Events on Wednesday, August 26 include a parish coffee morning at 9am at Mary Queen of Peace church; children’s trip to Dundonald Ice Bowl leaving at 10am; teddy bears picnic at the marquee from 12 noon to 2pm.

Thursday, August 27 will see a coffee morning and creative workshop in the sports complex from 10am to 1pm; carnival kids at the marquee from 10am to 1pm; Ravel rascals at the playgroup at 2pm; kids bingo in the marquee at 2pm; kids disco in the marquee at 7pm; a health walk leaving from the Skerry Inn at 7pm; festival darts at 8pm in The Skerry Inn; table quiz at 9pm in the sports complex.

Events on Friday, August 28 include: teens trip to Raceview karting; coffee morning and creative workshop in the sports complex from 10am to 1pm; carnival kids at the marquee from 10am to 1pm; comedy hypnotist Michael McCoy at the marquee from 8pm; festival darts finale at 9pm in the Greenhills Bar.

Saturday, August 29 will see a country fair being hosted at Skerry from 11am; there will be a fancy dress disco at the marquee from 9pm.

On Sunday, August 30, there will be a treasure hunt leaving from Glenravel sports complex at 11am.

The festival draws to a close on Sunday evening at the community sports complex with a barbecue, entertainment, music from Kieran McKillop, and ending the festival’s now famous fireworks display.

For more information on the festival events, visit www.facebook.com/glenravelfestival