Virtual Game Fair set to launch online

Due to open for business online at www.thevirtualgamefair.com from August 29 and 30, it will be active throughout the year until the real fair takes place on June 26 and 27, 2021.

Game Fair organiser Albert Titterington said: “It was a difficult decision to make as we had everything in place: a new layout, a Covid compliant plan, right down to branded face masks and loads of sanitiser and a good range of new exhibitors were committed to being there. However, in spite of all that we had done, recent spikes and clusters in the UK and in particular in NI and the ROI created the additional dimension of a greater health risk to visitors’, exhibitors’, competitors’ and staff safety which we felt we could not ignore.”

Albert said that many thanks were due to a number of people and organisations who worked with them to try to deliver the 2020 fair, including Game Fair hosts the Rt Hon Shane O’Neill at Shane’s Castle and staff at Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council; Fair contractors; event organisers and entertainers; and sponsors and exhibitors.

He also had a special word of thanks for the Great Game Fairs of Ireland team who had invested a great deal of time and money making plans and then amending them.

Recognising the potentially huge loss of publicity and economic benefits generated by the fair for local businesses, including accommodation providers, the organisers worked with the Council to put in place a replacement event in the form of the new Virtual Game Fair,

Albert said: “Part of our contingency planning was that if we had to postpone the Fair until 2021 we would run a Virtual Game Fair in 2020 which could entertain and engage a huge public worldwide right through to the ‘real’ Shane’s Castle event in 2021.

“We wanted to give something entertaining to the general public by way of compensation, while at the same time highlighting all that our traders and, indeed, the local area could still offer right now - right away.

“How very apt that the slogan will be ‘The Game Fair you can visit every day’.

“It’s a brand new concept,” said Albert.

“The Virtual Game Fair will run throughout the year 24/7 with an exciting mix of exhibitors, competitions and bargains galore and will provide a gateway to information on tourism and attractions in the area.”

The Shanes Castle Fair & The Virtual Game Fair are supported by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council.