Revival of town's old fair to boost economy

Country comes to town on bank holiday Monday next as the inaugural Navan Town and Country Fair takes place. Navan's first fair day sale for over 50 years will take place on the Fair Green, where the Ward Union Hunt will be in attendance for the official opening at 2pm. In the 1930s and 1940s, fairs in Navan generated huge revenue for businesses in the town as landowners from far and wide would congregate in the town to do business and it is hoped that the same will apply when this inaugural event takes place this weekend. On the Fair Green, farmers will display livestock and rare breeds of animals and spring lambs will be sold in lots. There will be a limit of 10 lambs per flock owner. Prizemoney of €250 will be awarded for the best turned-out factory lamb and the best butcher lamb (€200 per pin of 10). The emphasis is firmly on family entertainment with the star attraction being four performances of puppet shows by the Lambert Puppet Theatre. A bonny baby competition will take place on the Fair Green and there will be a dog show at 2.30pm. Proceeds from the dog show entry fees will be donated to the Last Hope Animal Charity. Stalls displaying organic food, horticultural and gardening exhibitions, as well as fruit and vegetables suppliers, will be in place along Trimgate Street and in the Fair Green areas. Throughout the town, there promises to be many other attractions such as a pig-roasting, sheep-shearing and a tug-o'-war. A vintage car and tractor display will assemble at Kennedy Place in the vicinity of Navan Town Centre. An essay competition is open to all sixth class girls in the Navan area. The winner will be crowned 'Princess of the Fair' this Friday, 3rd June. A free shuttle bus service will operate on the day with pick-up points at O'Brien's, Johnstown; Navan Rugby Club, Smith's SuperValu, Johnstown; Bird's SuperValu, Beechmount, Navan, and Blackcastle Shopping Centre. The Navan Town and Country Fair will take place on Monday between 12 noon and 6pm. For dog show entries, contact Annette on (085) 717 2024; livestock and stalls information, contact Francis on (086) 123 4856 or Pat on (086) 824 1578.