THE tenth annual Carrickmacross Summer Festival is set to take place over the June Bank Holiday weekend from 4 – 7 June.

With lots happening from Friday until Monday, there will be fun for all the family. Casselys Extreme Fun Fair opens on Friday evening and Big Generator will also take to the Main Stage at 9.30pm on the same evening. From 10pm until 2am there will be a Light Art Installation which will see the historic building that is now Sulis Design Centre and Gallery at Convent Hill turn into a Mondrian style work of art by artist Elaine Hoey. Sulis Design Centre will also have a craft stand at Market Square for the weekend. The stand will showcase some of the finest work from 10 local artists and craftworkers including woodturning, bespoke wooden rocking horses, batik, silk painting, jewellery, handmade cards, hand-woven textiles, Carrickmacross Lace and fine art painting.

Saturday will see an all day children’s shop window treasure hunt and an opening of an exhibition of works by Brendan Rafferty at Sulis Design Centre and Gallery. Along with lots more entertainment, there will also be an all day BBQ and line dancers will take to the Main Stage at 1.30pm. The world record twin attempt will begin at 2pm (see previous story on monaghanlife.ie entitled ‘Carrick Set to Create a Record’). A free crafts for kids session by Theresa Kelly will be held from 2pm – 3pm where children can make masks. However, places are limited so those interested need to sign up at the Sulis Design Centre. There will also be children’s crafts workshop from 12 – 1pm. Dead Hot Chilis will round off Saturday’s entertainment when they appear on the Main Stage at 10pm.

Sunday is another fun-packed day that will see an all day colouring competition and An Lochrann Linn Band take to the Main Stage at 1pm. From 3pm – 5pm there will be a Silk Painting craft demonstration by Louise Loughman, at Market Square Sulis Design Centre stand while there will be a Fire Brigade demo at the Courthouse at 4pm. Fight Night will take place from 6pm – 9pm and amongst other musical entertainment AZ/DZ will appear on the Main Stage at 10pm. The final day of the festival is Monday and entertainment will include an all day Vintage Display. The Teddy Bears Picnic and Bonny Baby competition will begin at 1pm while at 2.30pm the Keith Edwards Magic Show will take place in Market Square. Fuzzy Burgers will take to the Main Stage at 3.30pm and at 4.30pm it will be a test of strength in a Tug O’War competition.