Busy week for Queen of the Fair

IT’S a hectic week for the Queen of the Ballinasloe Fair Shauna Finnerty.
The 24-year-old is combining her work as a staff midwife at Portiuncula Hospital with her duties as the Queen of the Fair.
Shauna, who represents Padraig Pearses GAA Club, was chosen over nine other contestants and so far has enjoyed her experience.
Shauna, from Ardnaglug, Ballinasloe, has been a regular to the fair all her life but now sees it from a different perspective.
“It is an amazing experience so far. It makes me see all the work that goes into it. Visitors are coming to the fair from all over the world,” she said.
The event kicked off on Saturday and she enjoyed wearing the crown and sash and meeting and greeting locals and visitors to town over the first weekend.
She enjoyed watching the lunging and also got the opportunity to judge one of the pony competitions.
This week she will attend the tug-o-war, the soap box derby, a heritage talk and will also judge one of the categories in the dog show on Sunday.
She is eagerly anticipating Saturday in particular, Country Fair Day.
“Saturday is a big day. I am looking forward to it,” she said.

The fair and festival attracted huge crowds at the weekend and the events continue in Ballinasloe all week, finishing on Sunday.