BY RONAN McSHERRY
LOCAL hotels, pubs and businesses are braced for the influx of thousands of visitors to Omagh for the annual Appalachian and Bluegrass Music Festival at the Ulster American Folk Park. The growing popularity of the festival since its inception 16 years ago, has been good news for the business community in the local town.
The event will kick off tomorrow (Friday) at the Ulster American Folk Park and run through until Sunday evening. It is anticipated that up to 10,000 music lovers will make their way to Omagh from all over Ireland along with overseas visitors from across Europe and the USA.
A host of top international artists will fly in for the bumper three-day programme. With the 1,200-capacity concert on Saturday night almost sold out and tickets for the Friday night following swiftly behind, the festival is once again considered Europe's premier Bluegrass music event.
Omagh Chamber of Commerce President Marcus Isherwood is delighted at the ongoing success and popularity of the event.
"The Bluegrass Festival brings a great buzz to the town and is also a boost for the local econom, he said. "I have noticed bigger numbers are coming along each year and it is beneficial for Omagh and the surrounding area in general and the hospitality sector especially.
"The pubs, restaurants, pubs, hotels and guest houses all stand to benefit from the crowds that will come to the town," said thre Chamber president. "That is great news."
Mr Isherwood said the economy of Omagh has been on the rise in recent times with the festival adding to the feel good factor.
"The economy is on the up here and there is a good feeling about the place with recent changes in the town.
"These include the Main Street project, the Environmental Improvement Scheme, the opening of Strule Arts Centre and customers flocking to the retail park on Sedan Avenue."
A spokesperson from the Silverbirch Hotel has also noticed the positive spin-off from the festival for the hospitality sector.
"We have received many bookings for accommodation for this weekend's music festival," she said. "Apart from a few vacancies on Friday we are booked out over the three days. I believe the situation is similar with other accommodations. We have guests coming from throughout Ireland and some from America as well. The numbers have certainly grown over the years with a lot of the same people returning.
"We are expecting a very busy weekend. There is a lot of staff ready to go and the restaurant will be very busy as well. So it is good news for us and an exciting weekend for everybody."
