THE YANKS are coming, and not only for the Galway Races.  This Sunday is set to go down in memory as the day the American  Air  Force invaded Salthill. 
The seaside resort is set to be exposed to fly-overs and sonic booms as fighter jets from the American aircraft carrier, the USS John F. Kennedy, will join up with the Irish Air Corp for an air spectacular. 

The aircraft carrier, which is one of the largest in the world, has generated its fair share of controversy nationwide in the past few weeks, but it is only one of a number of attractions in this year's festival. 

The American pilots will not be alone in their 'invasion', as The United States Atlantic Fleet Band will be marching up the main road through Salthill before performing a free open-air concert at the Festival stage in Salthill car park. 

The jets and army band will be in Salthill for the opening of the 13th annual Salthill Harp Lager Festival, and are just two of a number of attractions that will be present for the eight day festival. 
F-14 Tomcats, F-18 Hornets and Hawkeye AWAC aircraft will be based en the aircraft carrier that will be located 100 miles off the coast, and according to event organiser 
Brian McGrath, it will be "the biggest show of aircraft ever to appear anywhere in the West of Ireland. 

Huge crowds are expected in Salthill, and Gardai have advised motorists that certain traffic restrictions will be in operation in the area on Sunday from 12 noon to 6pm.  During that time traffic will be excluded from the Salthill area bounded by Threadneedle Road, Dr Mannix Road, Devon Park, Lower Salthill (to the post office, Feeney's), Quincentennial Drive and Dr. Colohan Road. 

Supervised car parks are being provided at St. Enda's College on Threadneedle Road,  Salthill GAA club grounds at the Prairie, and St. Mary's College at St. Mary's Road. 
Gardai will be on duty to divert traffic and only residents will have access to the restricted areas from 12 noon to 6pm. "We would ask for the co-operation of all motorists on Sunday - it will make life easier for everyone," said a Salthill Garda spokesman, who added that thousands of people were expected in the resort for the launch of the festival on Sunday. 

There have been three changes to the original programme of events, the most notable being the cancellation of hot new Irish act The Frames. The Dublin band were supposed to play in Vagabonds Niteclub on Friday, July 5, but owing to the closure of the club three weeks ago they will not be playing at the Festival, and this will come as a major disappointment to those who were  looking forward to the Dublin bands gig. 

Their last gig in Galway was in February at the UCG Rag Week, where they were the highlight of the weeks acts. There are, however, a number of other acts who will be equally popular at the Festival. 

Jack  L  &  The  Black Romantics will be playing in the Liquid bar and Night Club (formerly The Oasis) on Friday night, July 5, as opposed to Saturday. Alan Kelly and Band, a traditional amalgamation, were to play in O'Leary's on Thursday, July 4, but has been cancelled. 

The Prayer Boat , a four piece band who were recently voted number one by viewers in the 2TV Coca-Cola Video Awards, will be playing an 'unplugged' session in the Promenade   Hotel on Wednesday next, July 3, at 9.30pm, while Nomos, a traditional band from Cork, will be appearing in Jameson's Hotel on Monday, July 1, at 9.30pm. They are a five piece band who were formed in 1990, and their debut album, Won't Be Afraid Any More", was released by Solid Records in January 1995.

A SPECTACULAR air display by American fighter jets, which will open this year’s Salthill Festival on June 30, is expected to attract up to 40,000 people. 
The event, hailed as the most exciting and dramatic to be staged in Ireland this year, will be the first in a series of events which the US aircraft carrier JFK will be involved with during its nine day goodwill tour. 
The Irish Air Corps and the Marine Rescue Services will give demonstrations on the day. 
The US Navy Atlantic Fleet Band will perform at an open air concert at Salthill car-park at 8pm. 
Mayor Michael O’hUiginn will open the festival which focuses on traditional music.  the emphasis will be on indoor concerts this year. 
The star acts will include Mairtin O’Connor and Frankie Gavin.  Frankie has been working on an album with Keith Richards while Mairtin, a member of the Riverdance Band, recently was Mark Knoppfler’s guest on the Irish leg of his world tour.  Both musicians are former IB traditional music award winners. 
Children aged 5 to 11 years can look forward to an exciting programme.  Two special shows, The Great Sea Adventure - 4-5pm from July 1-5, and Spider Magic - 6.30 to 7.30pm on the same days will take place in the Sacre Coeur Hotel and are guaranteed to entertain.  Both shows will be staged in Warwick Hotel on Saturday July 6. 
A free outdoor performance of Punch and Judy will be held from 3-4pm from Monday to Friday.