Stalls, stilettos and strength.. all the fun of the Eggstravaganza!

It's a tough life being a stallholder - but even tougher trying to vend victuals to the public on the afternoon of Easter Sunday.After all, if it's not the roast lamb that has filled the stomachs of the general public, then it's probably the Easter eggs, or the cakes, sweets, chocolate, or other treats banned for the previous six weeks.Nonetheless, there were several brave souls out tempting passers-by at the Mullingar Easter "Eggstravaganza" at Dominick Street on Sunday last, with all sorts of top class nosh at open-air prices; the rich scents of beef burgers made from "proper meat", cakes, cupcakes, pastries, sweets, preserves...It wasn't all just food, however: there were several other stands offering various handcrafted items, jewellery, collectibles and so on: and the public lapped it up, and enjoyed the opportunity also to stroll at their leisure at what is normally one of Mullingar's busiest streets - regardless of the day of the week.Inspired by last September's "Discover Mullingar" day, the Easter Eggstravaganza was organised by Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, together with Westmeath County Council, the members of the local Farmers' Market, and the Dominick Street traders.Along with stalls from local farmers and food providers, there were also some from the French Market.Activities got underway shortly before lunchtime, with an easter egg hunt for the youngsters, followed by an Easter Bonnet competition for children at "The Wardrobe".Later that afternoon, Noel O'Farrell had the crowd in stitches as he commented on the efforts of the Big Strong Men from the Dominick Street Traders' Association lined up to pull against the Big Strong Men from the Old Stand, in a fun tug-of-war competition, which attracted a great crowd.In the end, the Traders won the pull.Later, there was even a ladies' tug of war - although Noel O'Farrell's claim that some of the contestants were wearing Manola Blahniks may have been true. They were certainly very glamorous stilettos. Unfortunately, never having mixed in the Manola Blahnik-buying circles, the Westmeath Examiner can't comment. However, they're clearly not to be recommended for tug-of-war events!