Ratoath delighted with great response to first street festival

Ratoath Chamber of Commerce has expressed delight at the success of the village's first ever street festival, organised in conjunction with its 'Ratoath is Alive' website. The festival took place over two days and featured a French market along with German and Spanish produce, as well as local goods. The community centre hosted a crafts fair where local artists, designers and sculptors displayed their wares, while a 'gig rig' provided a platform for musical entertainment all day on both days. A funfair provided entertainment for the younger folk, along with clowns and face-painting. The festival was part of the 'Ratoath is Alive' initiative. Ratoath Chamber Of Commerce launched the 'Ratoath Is Alive' campaign to promote the awareness of businesses in Ratoath and simultaneously help those businesses to build a loyal customer base from residents in and around the town. The chamber of commerce's website, www.ratoathisalive.ie, is a portal for business, sport, education and entertainment within Ratoath to promote all the activities that are being planned in the area by all. As it is developed, it will provide a searchable list of all active businesses within Ratoath as well as local news and events. The chamber is chaired by Derek Maguire of Financial Architects, with secretary, Kathleen Flood, Blondelles; treasurer, Gary Lee, Brooks & Lee, Solicitors; co-ordinator, Beth Baird, Virtual Office Service, and members, Nick Killian, Ratoath Community Centre; Greg Clarke, Collage Hair Group; Tom O'Connor, Bank Of Ireland; Franco De Bonis, The DG Group; John Fitzgerald, Property Partners, and Paul Sweeney, Spar.