Up to 7,000 brave showers at Nobber Fair Day

The weather may not have been as kind as previous years but some 7,000 people braved the showers to attend the third annual Fair Day in Nobber on Sunday. Organisers had hoped for three in a row after being blessed with two of the best days of the summer for the last two fairs, but there was little sign of the sun this year. About 10,000 people attended the fair last year and, while the numbers were down by about 3,000, organisers were happy with the numbers, given the weather conditions. PRO Declan McMahon said there had been a slow start but that the crowds picked up at about 3pm and the weather stayed dry for the evening. He added that the rain didn"t seem to dampen anyone"s spirits. The Dolan Band and Coscan entertained the crowds as they wandered up and down the street to look at the animal displays and various stalls. There were also go-karts and other amusements to keep the children entertained and, for anyone who was hungry, there was a pig roasting on a spit. Laura O"Brien was crowned Queen of the Fair and was given a tiara and sash sponsored by Erin Keogan from Nobber. All of the children from the local national school dressed up in period clothes and this attracted a great crowd to the bandstand and all of the children were presented with medals by Nobber Vintage Club chairperson Dermot McCormack. The weight of the bull was correctly guessed as being 900kg by Patsy Halligan from Rathkenny. Mr McMahon said: 'We were very happy with the way everything went. It all went smoothly and there was no hassle and everyone co-operated with the parking. About 70 volunteers helped out on the day and we would like to thank them for their help.' The fair day was very well supported by both local and people farther afield and even after the streets were cleared and the road reopened that evening, people continued having the craic in the local pubs well into the evening. Proceeds from the fair will be used to pay for vaccinations against cervical cancer for 21 girls from the Confirmation classes in the national schools in Nobber, Drumconrath and Castletown. Mr McMahon said that committee members would be meeting with doctors soon to arrange when the vaccinations will be carried out.