If you are wondering what to do for the upcoming June Bank holiday weekend, look no further than the Carrickmacross Festival 2011.

Running from the Thursday 2^nd June to Monday 6^th June this year’s Carrickmacross Festival is jam-packed with a wide range of events and entertainment, the Carrickmacross Festival 2011 promises to be free fun for all the family.

For the past eleven years many volunteer, supported by Monaghan County Council and local business, have given their time to make the Carrickmacross Festival one of Ireland’s fastest growing free family festivals.

‘This year will prove to be even bigger and better than before. As we finalise almost everything apart from the weather we would welcome you to join us this June Bank holiday weekend’ said Chairman Liam Connolly.

The Carrickmacross Festival will have street entertainers, arts and crafts local and European produce, a teddy bear picnic, kids entertainment, love music over four days on two stages and much more.

Declan Nerney

This years Carrickmacross Festival is kicking off with the ever entertaining Declan Nerney on Thursday 2^nd June in Vanity, tickets available from T + L Paints, Main Street, Carrickmacross and at the door on the night.

Opening Parade

The parade is the official opening of the Carrickmacross Festival. It takes place on the Main Street on Friday Evening and creates a carnival atmosphere full of Mardis Gras costumes, street entertainers and fancy dress.

This part of the evening is aimed at children as there is face painting, clowns, and lots of funny people doing funny things. This year’s theme is based on Alice in Wonderland escorted by Card Soldiers, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts on stilts, the white rabbit and the mischievous Cheshire Cat.

Also a Brazilian Troop of Drummers, Warriors and Dancers, The Alcaputti Festival Brass Band all the way from Germany

The organisers of the Carrickmacross Festival 2011 are inviting any organisation, club or families and friends to join in the opening parade in dressing up in fancy dress in order to join in on the carnival atmosphere.

Locals and revellers line the street for the showcase of local and national talent which includes fire eating, acrobatics and more in front of the main stage followed by music.

Kids Entertainment

The festival is packed with four days of children’s entertainment all over Carrickmacross. Young children can enjoy the Teddy Bear Picnic in the park. There are being asked to bring along their teddies to the park to enjoy games, competition for the best teddy and of course the picnic. The event also involves street games, entertainers and face painting.

This year sees a Mobile Farm giving children the chance to met Jerry the Jersey Calf, Sheila Sheep, Peggy Pig, Henrietta Hen and Rory Rooster.

Fun Fair

Carrickmacross Festival 2011 welcomes back the Cassely’s Extreme Fun fair which will be located at the Drummond Etra Car Park which features the 90m sling shot (BUNGI ride), 2.5 seconds reaches 140km per hour, plus many more attraction.

Modified Car show

This year sees an new addition to the line up, a Modified Car show, at the Emmet Centre grounds, Ballybay road on Sunday 5^th June 2011, a show for all car enthusiast including an amazing stunt bike display by world renowned Mattie Griffin.

Live DJ providing plenty of sounds and prizes for car competitors on the day. Free Rally day to be won featuring Modified Fearri.

To register your car simply call 086 065 2264, 087 2458473 or 087 1261418, registration is free.

Cultur Ceoil agus Craic

Getting back to our rootes, we are featuring an evening of traditional music and song on Monday 6^th June 2011 with local traditional musicians, story telling and Irish dancing with a finale traditional session, ALL MUSICIANS/DANCERS WELCOME

Markets

The festival will have an array of French + Continental Markets and locally crafted and home grown produce on display over the four day period. Delicacies from cheese, bread, confectionary along with local organically grown produce will be available to be sampled and purchased.

Finally

The Carrickmacross Festival 2011 would like to say a special thanks to all our sponsors and to everyone for their continued support for the Carrickmacross festival over the last eleven years.