Big treat in store for Mayo brass band music lovers

A UNIQUE musical festival uniting bands from Castlebar, Westport, Foxford and Ballymore Eustace taking place in Castlebar tomorrrow (Saturday) promises to be an occasion not to be missed by music lovers.

The Revival of the Bands event revives the former Western Regional Band Festival, delivering a colourful and musical display of talented and award-winning band players as they march and perform on the streets of Castlebar.

The four participating bands enjoy a long history of musicianship and tradition dating back to pre-1900s and despite many changes and challenges along the way, all have survived to become the great ensembles they are today.

A busy timetable of performances for all the family to enjoy takes place on Saturday once the event kicks off from 1 p.m., when band members meet at St. Patrick's BNS, Castlebar. Following this the ceremonial parade via Main Street and Castle Street to the Mall will launch between 2 and 2.30 p.m., culminating with an open air recital by Ballymore and combined members of the other bands at approximately 2.45 p.m.

At 3 o'clock the bands will go to different parts of the town to perform their own arranged individual recitals, with members meeting up again afterwards to enjoy a social dinner together.

Later again, at 8 p.m., a free public concert at Christchurch Castlebar will be staged by Castlebar Concert Band and Ballymore Eustace Band - and it should be a true musical extravaganza.

Festival spokesperson Pauline Rogers stated: 'Saturday will be a great day of music and culture, and we extend an open invitation to all to attend and enjoy our band performances. Weather permitting, bring a picnic and blanket along to make the most of the open air recital on the Mall.'

The festival will be officially launched this evening (Friday) when the Castlebar Training Band perform on the streets of the town, starting at 6.30 p.m. at Market Square.