“The Lady of the Lake festival is a lovely event. It brings the whole town to life.”
That’s according to the newly crowned 2016 Lady of the Lake Chloe Clarke who has attended the quirky festival ever since she was a little girl.
“I always looked at the Lady of the Lake each year and thought: ‘I’d love to do that’,” the 18-year-old hairdresser told The Impartial Reporter.
Since her unveiling on the opening night of the festival last Friday, Chloe has been busy attending events, handing out prizes and “making sure that everyone enjoys the festival.”
Chloe, daughter of Wendy and James Clarke, from Irvinestown, will enter her final year of hairdressing in South West College this September. She works in Identity Hair Company in Irvinestown and Castlearchdale Vivo.
“My aunties told me that they had nominated me but I never imagined that I would be chosen as Lady of the Lake,” she said.
Chloe particularly enjoyed the donkey derby and the cocktail making event in the Bawnacre where she sampled the tasty creations. The annual Fair Day was also a highlight for this year’s Lady of the Lake. She is also looking forward to the truck convoy.
You will find the country music fan jiving in the street to the array of musical entertainment on offer, including the Mighty Mascots and Country Features. Chloe will also be in full swing at the annual Trucker’s Dance this Saturday with Hugo Duncan, Boxcar Brian, Country Harmony and Barry Doyle in the Delany Suite of Mahon’s Hotel.
“I feel famous,” laughed Chloe, who is enjoying her reign as Lady of the Lake. “It’s lovely to represent your town. It’s not often a festival would continue to be as popular for so many years but the Lady of the Lake festival always gets a good crowd. It’s because Irvinestown is unique, its people are great fun and the community gets out and supports the festival each year.”The new Lady of the Lake was unveiled