The entire hilly Idanre Community in Ondo state and its environs have been agog following heightened preparations towards the hosting of the 2015 edition of the annual Mare festival due for the 18th and 19th of this month.
Activities lined up for the event include cultural display at the Idanre Hill Resort among other sporting and cultural activities. Artisans, motorcycle riders and students within the community and its environs have fully mobilised to make the festival a remarkable one as evident in the ancient town during the visit of Mare delegation to the town at the weekend.
According to the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade who led other members to visit the event venues after which  a courtesy visit was paid to the Owa of Idanre Oba Dr. Fredrick Aroloye, the Aladelokun of Alade, Oba Olusegun Akinbola, Atosin of Itosin, Oba Awosoye Ogunlowo and other stakeholders, the development is sequel to the decision of the state government to domesticate the annual festival in order to develop local talents as a result of which competitions to identify talented musical actors and mountain climbers are on the table. He said The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC) Sally Mbanefo that Nolly wood actors would be actively involved in the festival adding that this year’s event will bring a new experience. Stressing that dignitaries would not only savour the cultural festival, Akinmade said guests to the event will as well share in the Idanre hills new experience. He mentioned that tourists to this year’s edition of the festival will have a new story to share because, according to him, the hills environment which now has an improved golf course and Habitat to accommodate tourists among other innovations has become of world standard where Tourists all over the world have been visiting to their delight.  He said producer and singer of hit song, Angel Of My Life, Paul Play Dairo and highly rated international female talking drummer and singer, Aralola are among other actors who have been lined up to perform at the 2015 edition of the Annual Cultural cum Tourism oriented Mare Concert holding on the 19th to round off the programme.
The Commissioner explained that local musicians, cultural troupes, and local security outfits would be involved during the festival and thus solicited the cooperation of the community in the area of security.
Other members of the delegation include Education, Transport, Environment, and Community Development Commissioners, Arc. Jide Adejuyigbe, Otunba Nicholas Tofowomo, Chief Sola Ebiseni and Mrs. Sinmi Akindele-Odunmbaku.
Source: HopeNewspaper
