The popular Apple Fair returns with gusto to Castlederg this year as two days of entertainment and fun are planned to celebrate the Halloween season.
Running over Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October all the activity will be focused around the town’s newly refurbished Diamond area.
This year the event is being organised by the Castlederg Community Events Committee.
Rois Kelly from the group explained, “We are really delighted to bring the Apple Fair back to the town, and to be able to extend it to run over two days. We have lots of entertainment, family fun, bespoke stalls and of course apples to make sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Ahead of the official start of the Apple Fair the entertainment gets underway with ‘Man in Black’ – a special performance in Derg Parish Church on Thursday evening at 7.30pm. It will feature the story and songs of Johnny Cash, as told by David Kelly.
The fun runs throughout the day from 11am-4pm on Friday.
The Fair will be opened with a special performance of ‘A Million Dreams’ by pupils from four of the local primary schools – St Patrick’s PS, Edwards PS, St Caireall’s and Killen PS.
Friday will continue with the arrival of Roland Dukes, one of the traditional apple sellers making the trip from Portadown to the Tyrone town for the occasion with a selection of tasty apples available from his vintage truck.
A variety of other arts, crafts, and food stalls will be selling their wares throughout the two days.
There will also be a number of local DJs playing and karaoke available.
On Friday, The Derg Arms is running a pumpkin carving competition, while Bradley’s Pharmacy has organised a special fancy dress competition where people are asked to get their picture taken in front of the Apple Fair/Halloween Window display.
Bring an Apple Fair prop and dress up, then come along, fill in an entry form in store and develop your photo free. You’ll also be in with a chance of winning a £50 Bradley’s voucher.
Bringing Friday to a close is the Churchtown Community Association’s Halloween Hoolie in the Ard Mór Centre from 6-9pm.
Saturday sees the arrival of a host of fun and activities for local families to enjoy. Running from 12-5pm there will be amusements, face-painting, live music, inflatable mascots, performances from Much Ado Stage School, and dance acts.
Encouraging people to come out and support this year’s Apple Fair, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lilian Seenoi Barr said: “The Castlederg Apple Fair is a long-running tradition in the town with apple sellers travelling from Co Armagh in the lead-up to Halloween for the past 100 years.
“It’s brilliant that the event has been expanded to two days this year. Well done to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen, and I would encourage everyone in the town to support the event and make sure they get along and enjoy it this weekend.”
The Apple Fair is free, however tokens need to be purchased for the amusements and face painting.
For more information about any of the events taking place in the Strabane District this Halloween, go to: www.strabanehalloween.com
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