Preparations for the 58th Ballina Salmon Festival are well underway in Ballina for this summer, after a hiatus of two years due to the global pandemic. The official Ballina Salmon Festival launch will take place on Saturday, 25th June at a family-friendly festival Party in the Park in Tom Ruane Park from 2.30pm, combined with the ‘River Moy Swim’ Fest.
The festival is one of the major highlights of the year and a key part of the calendar of events for the region. Since its last outing in 2019 has been sorely missed by locals, those who traditionally travel ‘Home to Mayo’ during the month of July, the business community, and the entire Mayo community.
Kicking off at 2.30pm in the park, the party will feature Bradley Brock as MC, with entertainment by The Mick D Experience with Keif Mullins and surprise guests, as well as an afternoon of yoga in the park, family friendly activities, refreshments.
The River Moy Swim medal presentations will take place with further live music by Ras Tinny. Guests at the party can enjoy the best view of the River Moy Swim in town, as visitors, locals and family members can cheer on swim participants as they swim by the park!
Ballina Salmon Festival 2022 plans
This year’s festival, running from July 10th-16th has a blended mix of old favourites returning, including National Heritage Day, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Fireworks display, as well as some new additions to the programme, to be announced very soon!
The festival’s children’s programme accounts for seventy per cent of the overall schedule, as the children’s festival committee have made a concerted effort to ensure this year’s programme has an assortment of activities and interests for all children, of all ages and all abilities. The iconic Teddy Bear’s Picnic launches day one of Festival week, on Sunday 10th July.
Ballina Salmon Festival is not only delighted to announce the return of National Heritage Day but also the return of the Garda Band who will perform once again on the festival main stage, with the promise of another spectacular musical performance. Visitors to town in 2019, were treated to a very special show at the National Heritage Day by the Garda Band, and similar plans are in place for some surprise guests to accompany the Garda Band this year.
National Heritage Day attracts up to 40,000 people to Ballina every year, and is a day to dress up in costume, immerse yourself in the experience and feast your senses on the sights and sounds of a market day 100 years ago, as the past comes to life and the streets are transformed.
New events in 2022 include an eclectic collection of music, theatre and arts events in Ballina Arts Centre and other venues, a live musical spectacular using the natural stage and amphitheatre of the River Moy with St Muredach’s Cathedral as its backdrop, and a cross community ‘Youth in Action’ football match in collaboration with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and UEFA Foundation – a Celtic FC football blitz.
More information on Ballina Salmon Festival launch and programme
A full festival programme will be available on www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie from this week, with new events and news added daily.
Follow Ballina Salmon Festival – Mayo on Facebook for updates.
