Thursday 2nd - Sunday 5th September 2010

Hillsborough - the No.1 Village in Ulster as decided by UTV Viewers

Please note this is the Press Release for the 2009 Festival

A new press release will be issued for the 2010 Festival

The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is now in its 17th year. The festival, the second largest event on the Northern Irish calendar, runs from Thursday to Sunday. Thursday sees the new and improved fashion show in the festival marquee and is sponsored by McCalls, Lisburn, Wish Bridal, Hillsborough and Magowan Fashions of Ballynahinch. This is the second year of holding a fashion show on such a grand scale and if last year is anything to go by we are looking at another sell-out success.

Later on Thursday evening we have the opening event, this year held in The Hillside. We will have live entertainment provided by The Untouchables and also the highlight of the evening, The Northern Ireland Heats of the Oyster Eating Championship, the winner of which will go through to the World Oyster Eating Championship on the gig-rig on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday the village is in preparation for the Gala Ball and every year the tickets are like gold dust. The evening opens with a drinks reception followed by a night filled with the finest cuisine the village has to offer, a charity auction with some great value for money and live entertainment. Last years entertainment included what we term as a WOW factor. We promise not to disappoint this year.

With the all day gourmet market celebrating the finest local produce, street entertainment and not forgetting the Oyster Festival Soap-box Derby, Hillsborough comes alive once again on Saturday. Citybeat will broadcast from their mobile unit and we also have a carnival on the Dromore Road. Mid afternoon sees the highlight of the event, the finals of the World Oyster Eating Championship are held with competitors from around the globe. Can anyone beat local hero Colin Sherlow who holds the WORLD RECORD for Oyster Eating standing at 233 in three minutes!

On Saturday evening we have a Barbecue followed by live bands in the marquee. The music this year is supplied by XIII and Abba tribute band The Super Troopers. It is hoped to have a few ‘surprises’ on the evening.

Sunday sees the return of Super Dream Car Sunday back by popular demand. We will have over thirty super dream cars valued at over £2½ million including S2 Audi Quattro, a Ferrari `430 Scuderia, a Back to the Future De Lorean, Aston Martins, Porsche’s to mention but a few and many of these cars are up for grabs if even only for a super dream car ride along our local route.

This brings to an end what has in the past proved to be a very popular festival with locals and our many visitors with something to suit young and old.,

With our new Chairman, David Dunlop we intend to give as much as we can for local charity “Please Fix S.A.M.” (Struggle Against Muscular Dystrophy).

For further information please contact Shane Smith on 028 9268 8577 or 07974 323 931 shane@nimedia.net