The highly anticipated 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival will take place at The Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare between Friday June 30th and Sunday July 2nd and with this comes the annual Best Dressed Shop Front competition, now in its third year. The competition was launched today (31st May) with the help of jockeys, Dylan Hogan and Gary Halpin who very sportingly allowed themselves to be wrapped up in flags and bunting to promote the competition. The duo work with legendary trainer, Kevin Prendergast and had great fun getting into the spirt of the occasion.
The competition, which is sponsored by Dubai Duty Free urges local businesses in Newbridge and Kildare Town to go all out and decorate their shopfronts in a bid to reflect the spirit of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. A prize fund of €3,000 is up for grabs, courtesy of the festival title sponsor and airport retailer, Dubai Duty Free. The best window or shop front will win €1,500 and a VIP day in the private Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Pavilion on derby day, 1st of July. Second place will win €1,000 and four general admission tickets for the big race day while third place will be awarded €500 and four general admission tickets to the races. Entrants should take inspiration from Dubai, travel and horse racing.
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin said, “This is our 10th year as title sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and over the years we have created a myriad of ancillary events that happen both on and off the track. The Best Dressed Window Competition encourages the local community to engage with the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival in a meaningful and fun way. We know that this festival is very important to businesses who operate locally and that is why we are happy to support this competition and would like to encourage people to have some fun and embrace more than the race.”
Flags, bunting and posters will be available for shops to use in their displays. Entries are now open for shops and buildings in Newbridge and Kildare Town. Businesses must first register their interest by emailing Niamh McNamara at O’Brien PR to office@obrienpr.com , telephone (045) 407017. By registering your interest, a starter pack will be prepared for you which will contain some bunting, two flags and some posters where you can include any particular instore promotions you are running to celebrate the festival. Once your window or building is decorated, you then must email one good quality image of your display to O’Brien PR, not forgetting to outline the name of your business and address. The closing date for all entries is 12.00 noon on Friday, 23rd of June. Judging will take place on Wed, 28th of June when the Executive team at Dubai Duty Free will view each display in person. The winner will be selected on judging day. All displays must remain in place until Monday 3rd of July. Should you require further details, please contact Niamh McNamara or Avila Lipsett at O’Brien PR (045) 407017 email office@obrienpr.com