The Lady of the Lake Festival returned in fashionable style last Thursday evening with the opening parade and the unveiling of a local woman as the Lady of the Lake.

Nicola Johnston (22) was announced as the 2024 Lady of the Lake, following the opening parade in Irvinestown.

The lead-up to the unveiling itself kept Irvinestown busy as many people gathered to watch a burger-eating competition hosted by Millar Meats.

All eyes were on one competitor – ‘Black Paddy’, AKA Faby-D, a comedian and TikTok star from Nigeria who had travelled to Irvinestown to take on the challenge.

He joined with others including hotelier Joe Mahon and the 2023 Lady of the Lake Holly Baird to take on the challenge.

There was plenty of interaction from the crowd as they cheered on the competitors. As the competition drew to a close, it was declared that William McKinney was the overall winner, having eaten the most out of all of the competitors.

Events are continuing for the popular festival today, Thursday, July 18 with a fancy dress parade taking place tonight under the theme of ‘The Greatest Show’.

No doubt, there will be some fantastic costumes as Irvinestown comes to life with creativity and fun.

There will also be live music from The Senators and street entertainment from mascots, marching bands and floats.

This Friday, July 19 evening will see an annual vintage vehicle parade, sponsored by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, at 7.30pm.

Events will start at 7pm with a performance in the town by the Hard to Beat band.

Then at 10.30pm, the festival of lights will take place, featuring a parade of lit-up trucks that will be led by a torch-lit parade from the Irvinestown Community Mummers, in what will be a truly tremendous occasion.

The penultimate day of the festival – this Saturday, July 20 – will see the arrival of the trucks for the annual Lady of the Lake Truck Convoy, in aid of Marie Curie.

In the truck car park, there will be a range of craft and trade stalls as the truckers are welcomed into Irvinestown.

At 3pm, the World Hole Digging Competition will take place as those taking part in the competition try to dig the biggest hole in half an hour.

The final day of the festival will see the iconic charity truck convoy leave Irvinestown and head on their journey around Fermanagh in aid of Marie Curie cancer care.

The trucks will leave Irvinestown at 2.30pm and travel via Lisnarick, Ederney, Kesh, Enniskillen and Ballinamallard before returning to Irvinestown.