Claire to fly the flag for Westmeath at 'Blue Jeans Queen' event
A young woman from Castlepollard who farms for a living, is bidding to become this year's Blue Jean Country Queen, at the annual festival of the same name in Athboy.Claire Rynn, who is from Millcastle, Castlepollard, and who is a member of Collinstown Macra na Feirme, was chosen by Westmeath's Macra members to represent the county at the Festival, which takes place this weekend."Mind the Gap Films" is to film this year's festival - the 24th to date organised by Meath Macra na Feirme - with a view to making a documentary about the event for TV3.In total, 32 Queens - one from each county in Ireland - will descend upon Athboy this Friday June 3, for what, as ever, promises to be a fun-filled action-packed weekend.On Friday night, the Queens will be interviewed on stage at the Old Darnley Lodge Hotel, and the activities keep on running to Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.Saturday afternoon sees Claire and the other Queens taking to the streets for a carnival which guarantees fun and frolics for all the family, while on Sunday the Queens will change from fancy dress to modelling dress to formal dress all within twelve hours!Among the top national artists on this year's programme are DIRECTOR, who along with Navan band THE MYTH play in the Festival marquee on Saturday 4th June, and LEBOWSKI who play on Sunday 5th June. The presence of Matt Leavy, Buck Mulligan's Nite Club and Old Stagecoach on the itinerary ensure that all tastes are catered for.Claire's hobbies include walking, cycling, car booting, bargain hunting, fancy dress and baking.Although fun is the name of the game Claire and the other Queens will be competing for some wonderful prizes. First prize sponsored by Farrelly Brothers Agricultural Contractors is â¬1500 and the title of Blue Jean Country Queen 2011.The runner-up will receive â¬750 sponsored by Mullingar firm Stephens Cooke & Co, while the winner of third prize receives â¬350 sponsored by Gilsenan Brothers.The winner of 2011 Blue Jean Country Queen title will be announced at midnight on Sunday 5th June and will be crowned by reigning queen, Meath's Celine Smyth.This year they will also receive a specially commissioned tiara sponsored by goldsmith Sara Hunter.Tickets can be bought online at www.bluejeanfest.com and can also be bought on the door but banquet tickets must be booked in advance. For ticket sales and enquiries call 087-2154729.