This article is from page 26 of the 2007-07-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 26 JPG
THE upcoming August bank holiday weekend is renowned for its festivi- ties and fun in west Clare.
The two west Clare villages of Kilmihil and Kildysart are already putting the last minute preparations together for two of the most popular festivals of the summer.
In Kildysart, as always all proceeds will go towards the playground. Af- ter five years of fundraising the play- ground was opened this year but the committee say that there is still a lot
more work to do.
Funds raised this year will go to- wards landscaping the play area, a perimeter fence for the safety of the children and a car park to make the playground accessible to all.
The newly opened playground is already attracting families from all over west Clare.
Plans are also in place to add an all- weather pitch to the grounds, dress- ing rooms and toilet facilities.
Meanwhile in Kilmihil the Festival of Fun will begin on Saturday and run until the Monday.
In its seventh year it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
Among the highlights on Saturday are the set-dancing workshop in the community centre; the soccer tour- nament for over 16’s; the treasure hunts; the Under-12 football blitz and open-air Irish music and danc- ing on the street from 8.30pm with the Four Courts Céili Band.
Sunday it’s down to Knockalough Lake for an afternoon of events in- cluding the ever popular raft racing; the Knockalough knockout and a new bath racing event for the Tommy
Murray Memorial Trophy. Sunday evening it’s the now legendary Bon- ham racing at 8.30pm in the GAA field followed by a spectacular fire- works display.
The festival concludes on Monday with a parade at lpm and a monster field day, which includes the fifth An- nual Vintage Rally. New this year is the Clare Craft Fair in the commu- nity centre from 12pm-6pm.