Vale Star
Thursday, 15 August 2013
Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry played host to B-Fest 2013 over the August bank holiday weekend which was a fundraising event held over four days in aid of TLC 4CF and CRY Ireland.
B-Fest kicked off on Friday August 2nd with a fancy dress, 80s disco and cocktail night. Tributes must be paid to all of the brave people who entered into the spirt of the event and went to great lengths in their costume choices. Madonna, Wonder Woman, Suggs from Madness and Baywatch lifeguards made an appearance. A special mention to Marie ‘Madonna’ Quaid and to Colin ‘Suggs’ Anderson who both made a huge effort.
On Saturday August 3rd the ‘Nuns’ gathered at the hall in Ballingarry at 4p.m. Thank you to Jim Moore who transported the ‘Nuns’ to Knockfierna where the walk/run began. The 5km fun run to the Mustard Seed Ballingarry was indeed just that. All participants started and ended the run in high spirts. A huge thank you to Dan Mullane and his staff at the Mustard Seed Ballingarry for hospitality and refresments. Paul Molloy came home first, closely followed by Shane O’Grady, with Adam Long (age 11) coming in third. A special mention to Grace Mullane, also 11 yers old who arrived at the Mustard Seed in fourth place.
A sincere thank you to all who participated in the walk and entered into the spirit of the occasion. Also to the many stewards, medical officer Tom O’Shaughnessy and all who helped out on the day.
The afternoon finished with sandwiches in Condron’s Bar and music by Banned followed by a Karaoke for the ‘Nuns’! A great night was had by all.
On Sunday August 4th it was a hive of activity around Condron’s Bar with the family fun day starting at 3.p.m. Thankfully the sun shone for the junior tractor race which kicked off a fun filled day for children and adults alike.
Activities including a go kart race, wife carrying, face painting and kiddies’ disco by Giggles the clown and a barbeque. At 8p.m. the sensational ‘Brisla’ the first band of the night took the stage on the Big Rig at Condron’s Bar. They were followed by the headline act Zoo2, Ireland’s biggest and best U2 tribute band who undoubtedly provided the highlight of the weekend. Led by Ballingarry’s very own Brian ‘Bono’ Kelly, Zoo 2 rocked Ballingarry late into the night and amazed the huge crowd with their energy and detail in both deliverying U2s greatest hits but also in their uncanny physical likeness to Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr.
B-Fest 2013 saw an extra day of activities on bank holiday Monday. The live pig racing attracted a huge crowd of spectators, adults and children alike. A huge thank you to all the pig owners, race sponsors and all who contributed towards the advertisements in the race programme, without you this exciting and different event would not have been possible.
Thank you to Jimmy Chawke who added to the entertainment with his side splitting commentary on each race.
On Monday night the monster raffle took place and the lucky winners of some fabulous prizes were drawn by TLC 4 CF’s Liam O’Kelly.
Liam also thanked all those who had done so much to ensure the success of the weekend including the B-Fest committee members, the amazing sponsors, all those who sold lines for the raffle and most of all the people who donated money for the cause over the weekend.
Music by Risky Business drew the weekend to a close. It is estimated that over €12,000 has been raised so far for TLC 4CF and CRY Ireland.