FOR a festival to really take off, it helps to have a drawcard with real pulling power.
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Ballarat’s inaugural Irish Fest next weekend features a good old tug of war, with a dozen or so country footy clubs roped in to provide some muscle.
There was a tug of war last year at Dunnstown’s Shamrock Hotel to ring in St Patrick’s Day. For the record, the reigning champ was Bungaree.
With the Ballarat Irish Club expanding St Patrick’s Day celebrations into a festival from March 13 to March 15 at the George Hotel, Lydiard Street (ahead of St Patrick’s Day on March 17), the “war” will be taken indoors.
“Most of the Central Highlands Football Netball League clubs have signed up and we’re expecting teams from Terang and Koroit, which are both traditional Irish areas, as well,” Ballarat Irish Club committee member John Murphy said.
“We decided to do the right thing and invite them.
“We’ve got a dozen teams so far and we’ll take four more.
“It only costs $50 to enter a team and the cash prize for the winner is $2000, so it’s worth their while.”
The festival begins next Friday night with live music at The Lane, at The George Hotel.
A heritage talk by historian Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter on Saturday from 3pm will be followed by more live music on Saturday night.
The Irish craic really cranks up on Sunday with dancing, Irish music and the tug of war from 1pm.
The tug of war will be supported by Guinness, with all proceeds to cystic fibrosis research.
Tickets to performances are available at the door.
