Headfest 2023 is gearing up to be a jam-packed weekend-long event with a tractor, truck and vintage car run, an auction, live entertainment, workshops, a craft fair, and country market, and a children’s variety show this June Bank Holiday weekend.
The community-led festival, which this year will raise funds for two causes: Croí Heart & Stroke Charity and the Paediatric Unit at UCHG, will kick-off at Monaghan’s Mega Marquee in Moyne Villa FC, Church Road, Headford, Co Galway, this Friday night (June 2nd, 2023).
The festival will continue on Saturday, with Pat Burke Property sponsoring a half-bred first-crop Valais Blacknose ewe and her two lambs (one ewe and one ram), which will come under the hammer during the mart’s sheep sale at 10:15 am.
Later in the afternoon, the festival’s tractor, truck, and vintage run will start from Headford Co-op Mart at 3 pm.
Chairperson comments
In 2018, Headfest chairperson, Liam Mcdonagh, introduced the concept of a fundraising tractor, truck and vintage car run, which has since, raised “thousands of euros” for local charities.
Speaking to That’s Farming, Liam said:
“The annual tractor, truck and vintage run is one of the highlights of the festival.”
“This year’s run will raise funds for Croí Heart Stroke Charity along with the Paediatric Unit at University Hospital Galway, which took extra special care of new-born Holly Sweeney from Kilbeg in Headford, whose mother, Avril, is on the Headfest committee.”
Cllr Andrew Reddington, who assists with the run, told this publication:
“Every time we organise this run, it turns out to be a huge success. From the number of tractors, trucks and vintage vehicles booked in, it will be spectacular.”
“We do a 15km route of the local area, and strict road rules apply on the day.”
“I know there is a great week coming weather-wise, so we are hoping that all the hay will be baled by Saturday. We get a great buy-in from all over the county and further afield,” he remarked.
There will be prizes as follows:
- Best tractor – 6 tickets for The Thirsty Crows and All Folk’d Up;
- Best truck – €150 voucher sponsored by Andrew Curran Tyre Centre for AC Tyres Headford;
- Best vintage – €100 voucher sponsored by Paul & Vincent Farm Feeds and two tickets for The Thirsty Crows and All Folk’d Up.
Weekend entertainment:
- Friday, June 2nd, 2023 – The Tumbling Paddies with RubyRua;
- Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 – Gerry Guthrie and Cliona Hagan;
- Sunday, June 4th, 2023 – Folk’D Up, supported by The Thirsty Crows.
Shows (strictly over 18s only) begin at 8 pm each night, and tickets – which are priced at €25 – are available to purchase via this link, over on Eventbrite.
Other attractions over the weekend, include but are not limited to,:
- Craft fair and country market open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, followed by live music;
- 1-hour absolute beginner guitar workshop for adults on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm;
- Community hootenanny – local performers – on Monday from 7 pm to 9:30 pm – free;
- Children’s variety show – Monday, June 5th, 2023 from 1pm to 4pm – €40 for family of five of €10/person;
- Note – teen disco has been cancelled.
