Ballynahinch publican Mark Murnin of ‘Paddy Kelly’s’ bar in the heart of Ballynahinch has become the first Patron of the new Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival which is expected to draw more than 15,000 people to the County Down town over the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September …. and the hunt is on to find more community–minded individuals and businesspeople ready to follow his lead.
An innovative marketing approach is enabling individuals and businesses to ‘buy into’ the new venture, becoming official Patrons in exchange for a donation of £150 which will go to boost the Festival’s already generous competition prize pot. Patrons will each receive a package of benefits which include:
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Sealed with a handshake: Mark Murnin (left) of Paddy Kelly’s in Ballynahinch shakes hands with Albert Titterington as he gives his formal support to the 2014 Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival.[/caption]
* £150 worth of complimentary tickets;
* two Patrons’ badges;
* the opportunity to have their banners displayed around the main event arena;
* a programme listing;
* plus a presence in the high profile Country Sports & Country Life magazine and website.
* and the drive to encourage local, grass roots support also includes a 20% stand booking discount for any business based in the Down District Council area.
Albert Titterington, Director of the Great Game Fairs of Ireland, the man behind the new Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival, believes that local buy-in is of crucial importance to the event. He said: “My many years of experience as Director of The Great Game Fairs of Ireland have left me in no doubt about the importance and value of country sports, lifestyles and heritage to the economy and I believe that our rural heritage is one of our most marketable tourism assets.
“As a local man, I am delighted to be working to help my home county access some of those economic benefits and I am genuinely excited about an event which will bring such a positive focus to Ballynahinch.
“The new Patronage scheme, plus special commercial discounts for traders in Down District, makes it easy for local businesses to reap the benefits from our Harvest & Country Living Festival. I am also eager to meet with those who wish to raise their profile by sponsoring their own event or attraction within the overall programme and we have even created special packages which will allow them to access marketing opportunities at our companion Fairs at Shane’s Castle on County Antrim and Birr Castle in County Offally, as well as generating exposure in our magazine and web portal. I am determined that this event will be a win-win for businesses in my home County!”
First of those local businesses to recognize and respond to the opportunity was leading licencee and local Councillor, Mark Murnin. A long-time campaigner for a major event for the town, Mark is enthusiastic about the potential for the Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival to become not only a highlight of the region’s tourism calendar, but also a significant catalyst for regeneration.
Mark said: “There has been some brilliant work done to restore and revitalize Ballynahinch in recent years and the town is really looking well, with more improvements on the way.
“We’ve all been looking for the key opportunity to build on that success and put the town back on the map and the Ballynahinch Harvest & Country Living Festival is our perfect platform! Now, after all our campaigning for the big opportunity, it’s up to all of us to give the Festival the backing it needs to really fly.
“So I’m calling on local businesses to join me as Patrons, injecting some additional private sector investment into the project to boost the international prize fund and perhaps to go further, sponsoring key elements of the two day programme.
“Ballynahinch is – and always has been – a thriving and busy market town with some excellent independent local traders: I’d like to see them all get actively involved so that they can really benefit from the positive impact which the Harvest & Country Living Festival will bring. I’ll also be working hard to ensure that the benefits flow right through the town and don’t remain solely concentrated on the Market Square and Montalto where the main activities are focused.
“I know that the Ballynahinch Regeneration Committee is already looking at some creative ideas to add to what is already an amazing programme, while, as a local Councillor elected to the new Newry, Mourne and Down Council, I am proud that Down District Council is helping to make this event possible.”
The event will bring a major two-day celebration of country sports, pursuits and lifestyles to the stunning Montalto Estate which will be opened to the public for the first time in decades. On Saturday 27 September, Ballynahinch town centre will host a re-enactment of the famous Battle of Ballynahinch plus a programme of country-themed events reminiscent of the traditional Harvest, Pig and Potato Fairs for which the town was once celebrated. Details of the town centre programme will shortly be revealed by Down District Council.
For further details of the event see:
www.ballynahinchharvestfestival.com
or view the short promotional video:
For details of how to exhibit at the event call Country Lifestyle Exhibitions Ltd on 02844839167 or 44615416
E: irishgamefair@btinternet.com
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