Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 4:15pm

Diverse line-up for Euro Fest

Favourite local acts to entertain throughout the week

Organisers of Euro-Festival Athlone promise that locals, holiday-makers and the participating European teams will be hugely entertained during the week of the festival by a highly acclaimed and diverse line-up of top class Irish acts and talented and popular local artists and visiting European Cultural Groups.

Free outdoor concerts are scheduled to take place every night from 10pm to 11.30pm featuring Delorentos on Saturday July 24, Mike Denver on Sunday July 25, Sean Slattery & The Connections on Monday July 26, Blue Moose on Tuesday 27, The Fabulous Bonker Boys on Wednesday 28, Ragus on Thursday 29 and Keith McDonald and The Showband Show on Friday July 30.

Euro-Festival, sponsored by Athlone Town Council, will host 15 European countries including Ireland for a week of sports, music, cookery demonstrations and tastings, street theatre, photography and art events and exhibitions. The festival programme is packed with free events and entertainment every day and night for all ages and interests to enjoy.

We can also look forward to performances by popular local artists throughout the week kicking off early in the afternoon on Saturday 24 with traditional Irish music and The Ganley School of Dance, The Golden Sisters, Ré- Seisiún, an Open Mic Night with MC RTÉ presenter Rob Ross leading up to the headline gig with popular Dublin band Delorentos later Saturday night.

The official opening of the festival takes place on Sunday July 25 with a colourful parade starting at 3.30pm from Connaught Street to the Civic Square, Athlone. The parade will feature all the participating European teams, a selection of Irish marching bands, a Samba band and dancers, artists, street theatre and lots more.

After the opening ceremony renowned Galway act Alalé will give an energetic trad show followed by several performances by participating European cultural groups and then Mike Denver, one of the hottest names on the Irish country scene will complete the Sunday night music line-up.

Monday July 26 sees a lunchtime gig by one of the visiting European cultural groups followed by The Conway School of Irish Dance later in the afternoon. Later that evening more participating European cultural groups will perform before well known local man and Galway based act, Sean Slattery and The Connections take to the main stage.

Tuesday July 27 features lunchtime shows by a couple of European cultural groups. Later in the evening renowned Athlonian's Donna & Joe McCaul, familiar to many of the European visitors through their representation of Ireland at Eurovision 2005 will be followed by popular Moate Group, The LOLS and various European Cultural Performances keep the crowds entertained before headliners Blue Moose, rock on!

A full line-up of entertainment is scheduled from early afternoon on Wednesday July 28 kicking off with performances by Attitude Dance Group, The Concannon/Ganley School of Irish Dance, Athlone Choral Society, well known talented local couple Bernard and Patrice Coyle, the popular Chicks Comedy Act will be followed by headliners, The Fabulous Bonker Boys who promise a powerful show with their eclectic mix of folk and trad featuring guitar, mandolin, banjo, bouzouki, bass, fiddle and drums.

Lunchtime entertainment on Thursday July 29 is from Picolo, European cultural group and About Time Quartet. More European countries will perform Thursday night before the internationally acclaimed Ragús will stage a show of live, fast moving, traditional Irish music, song and dance.

The grand finale night will showcase a fantastic line-up of entertainment including a breathtaking performance of traditional Irish music, song and dance by the talented Athlone cultural group and an energetic mix of music for all tastes from the highly acclaimed Keith McDonald and the Showband Show featuring jazz, rock'n'roll, jive, waltz and pop classics.

The festival celebrations will conclude on Friday night with a grand finale spectacular fireworks display from Golden Island, Athlone.

Euro-festival is hosted by Athlone Town Council. Visit www.eurofestival.ie for further information.