The organisers of Mallow’s Racing Home for Easter Festival are urging businesses in Mallow and the surrounding areas to once again show their support for the upcoming event on April 19th, 20th and 21st. Despite freezing conditions in 2013, the event was extremely successful. “Easter falls much later this year,” says Festival Chairperson Mary Kelly. “It will be almost summer by then so we’re really hoping for sunshine and warmth so everyone can come out and enjoy the events.”
Highlights of the 2013 event included 3 days of top class racing action at Cork Racecourse Mallow, RTE star Brendan Courtney judging the best dressed on Easter Sunday, a pre-1940s vintage car display and rally, and the music, family fun and entertainment that the festival is becoming known for.
The streetscape works will mean some changes for the 2014 event. “Mallow Castle will become the town centre base for this year’s festival events,” says Mary. “Saturday will see the staged music and kids amusements, while it will be the new home of the much-loved food and craft fair and we’re working very closely with Mallow Town Council and Cork County Council on that aspect.”
The festival committee is in buoyant mood ahead of the 2014 event, as the festival was recently shortlisted for a Pride of Place Award last November, as an example of how many local groups and local authorities work together to deliver something to benefit the local community. “Mallow Tidy Towns, the Credit Union, local businesses, schools and volunteers all come together in the lead-up to and during the festival itself and we’d be lost without their invaluable support,” says Mary. “We’re holding our committee meetings every second Thursday at 7pm in the Hibernian Hotel, with the next meeting tonight, January 30th and we would be delighted to see some new faces joining us for 2014.”
Festival vice chairperson Pat O’Sullivan says, “This is the biggest single opportunity we have to push our town and all we have to offer. It has been proven over the past 4 years that the festival attracts people to Mallow and provides a much needed economic boost for local businesses.”
The website, www.racinghomeforeaster.ie, the Facebook page and Twitter are also critical to the festival’s success. They will be spilling over with information for visitors, such as accommodation offers, restaurant deals, the list of events over the 3 days and what they can see and do around Mallow. “We want Mallow to be associated with Easter,” says Mary Kelly. “Families can come to our town and find free entertainment, great value accommodation packages, live music, 3 days of great racing. They are helping the local economy and to keep people in jobs too, we think it’s a win/win situation.”
The call for partners and friends of the festival is on again, with all offers of sponsorship welcomed by the committee. “We are delighted that the Mallow Star and local radio station C103 have once again come on board as media partners. They’ve both been with us since the start of this event and their support in promoting the festival is crucial in letting as many people as possible know what’s on in Mallow each Easter,” says Mary Kelly.
The festival is looking for more ‘partners’ and ‘friends’ to show their support. Festival treasurer Denis Murphy says, “Last year we were overwhelmed by the support offered by smaller businesses and even individuals of €50 or €100. All the money will go towards a hectic programme of events over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.”
The Racing Home for Easter Festival will also be holding a flag day on Friday, February 21st.
Major partners of the festival who have recommitted to the 2012 event include Fáilte Ireland, Irish Rail, Cork County Council, the Mallow/Vale Star newspaper and C103 (media partners), Mallow Town Council, Mallow Chamber, Mallow Publicans, Knight’s Spar and Carry Out, Ballydaheen, Kostal, QiFA Financial, Sonoco Thermosafe Brands Europe Ltd, Minister Sean Sherlock TD and Tom Barry TD.