Naas businesses just one day left to be in chance of €5,000

Appeals are in for business people throughout Naas to 'Paint the Town Red', with just one more day to email photos. Punchestown Racecourse, in association with Bank of Ireland, are calling on businesses in six local towns and villages to ‘Paint the Town Red’ by decorating their businesses and store fronts in a racing-related theme. Now in its fourth year, the campaign has been extended to include Blessington, Ballymore Eustace/Kilcullen, Johnstown/Kill to be judged alongside Naas. The campaign aims to highlight that they are open for business to welcome racegoers who wish to dine, shop, and do business during the festival and beyond. It will see the towns and villages adorned in bunting and banners to celebrate the festival, which runs from April 25 to 29. Over €5,000 worth of prizes are up for grabs for the traders who are the most creative. A finalist will be chosen from each of the participating town/villages and will receive €800, while the overall winner will receive €1,500 plus the use of a private suite at the racecourse on a non-festival race day. Last year’s competition was won by premium late night bar One New Row, Naas. Second place went to McAuley Place Charity Shop with The Stationery Store securing the third prize.Another part of Bank of Ireland’s support for business in local communities is its Enterprise Town initiative. The Bank is investing €1.2 million in the programme in 2017 and has confirmed that over 120 events will take place nationwide this year. Around the time of the Punchestown Festival, Enterprise Towns are being organised in Johnstown/Kill on Friday 21st April, with Blessington and Kilcullen/Ballymore hosting theirs on Saturday 6th May. The events are free to attend and there will be something for everyone of all ages and interests. Tuesday 18th April – email pictures of the themed business front to Liz Fay – lfay@punchestown.com Friday 21st April – the five finalists will be personally contacted and announced on social media Tuesday 25th April – the finalists and the overall winner will be presented with their prizes in the parade ring on the opening day of the festival   For more information contact:  Liz Fay – lfay@punchestown.com 045-897704       [caption id="attachment_156921" align="alignleft" width="300"] Punchestown in Association with Bank of Ireland Launch Paint The Town Red. 2017 Dr. Matthew Faye, Dick O Sullivan, General Manager Punchestown, Treasa O Neill, County Manager Kildare BOI. Liz Fay, Ivan Keatley, Mayor County Kildare, Photo. Jimmy Fullam.[/caption]     [caption id="attachment_156923" align="alignleft" width="300"] Punchestown in Association with Bank of Ireland Launch Paint The Town Red. 2017 Ian McMorrough, Dir. BOI. Leinster. Rebecca Phillips, Dick O Sullivan, General Manager Punchestown, Treasa O Neilol, County Manager Kildare BOI. Derbhla Martin, Aleksandra Zagwocka, Clodagh Hughes, BOI. ManagerNaas. Photo. Jimmy Fullam.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_156924" align="alignleft" width="300"] Punchestown in Association with Bank of Ireland Launch Paint The Town Red. 2017 Alecia Farragher, Kavanagh Pub. Hilary Cahill, Punchestown. Liz Fay, Punchestown. Neill Farragher, Kavanaghs Pub Naas. Photo. Jimmy Fullam.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_156925" align="alignleft" width="300"] Punchestown in Association with Bank of Ireland Launch Paint The Town Red. 2017 Ian McMorroughy, Dir. BOI. Leinster. Rebecca Phillips, Dick O Sullivan, General Manager Punchestown, Treasa O Neilol, County Manager Kildare BOI. Derbhla Martin, Aleksandra Zagwocka, Una Dowling, Lauren Percival, Orla Fitzgearldm Jenna Cross, Hannah Doherty-Greene, Lauren Piare. Junk Kouture Finalists. Scoil Mhuire Community School Clane. Photo. Jimmy Fullam.[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_156922" align="alignleft" width="300"] Punchestown in Association with Bank of Ireland Launch Paint The Town Red. 2017 Fiona Barrett, Damien Reynor, Elizabeth Deegan, Sean Fogarty, Photo. Jimmy Fullam.[/caption]