The Lady of the Lake Festival returns later on this month and Irvinestown is abuzz with activity as final preparations are in place.

Joe Mahon, a committee member and hotelier in the town, is one of those looking forward to the event.

“I can’t believe it has come around so quickly! It brings a good buzz to the town, and everyone looks forward to it and finding out who the Lady of the Lake is.

“The theme this year is 'The Greatest Show', based on 'The Greatest Showman', which is a good theme for the fancy dress parade.”

Mr. Mahon and the rest of the committee are hoping for the biggest crowd ever for this year’s event as the lead-up to the festival had been well supported.

He said: “ The programme book has been launched and it looks well. When we launched we had our biggest crowd ever out on the boat for the launch.”

Looking forward to the events, Mr. Mahon handpicked a few events which he is looking forward to, especially all of the new events.

“What I look forward to most of all is the truck event on the last Sunday, it brings everybody out to see it, and bring the whole community out to watch it together.

“The Fair Day, we have more stalls than ever at the day, and there are a few new things.

“We are doing a welly-pulling competition; we reel a big long rope with a welly on the end of it, and you pull in the welly as quickly as possible. It's all good craic!

“The donkey derby is a big event, and last year we started the tractor and trailer reversing competition, and it is back again this year.

“There is another new event too, with Gail Turner doing a painting class, and as part of The Greatest Show theme, there is a talent competition in the Bawnacre.

"The other big thing is the Mummers on the last Friday night as well for the light-up.

"A new event is a Rock concert on Thursday, July 18, which we will have in Mahon’s."

Other events include Irvinestown hosting the Twelfth of July during the Lady of the Lake celebrations.

“The Twelfth is on, and the Lady of the Lake is going to be part of the parade.

"When the parade and band go out of the town, there is going to be music in the town with bands on the street to entertain the people; The Senators, and Boxcar Brian, and Andrew McMurdie.”

Calling upon the local community to support the festival, which is its 46th year, Mr. Mahon added: “I hope people get on the main street and support the events and support the festival, and we have bigger numbers than before.”