Portglenone to host Banntastic 12th festival

The ‘flagship festival’ aims to maximise the Twelfth celebrations; showcase local Ulster Scots community and culture while educating, engaging and entertaining the public.

It is ten years since the idea of developing the traditional events around the Twelfth of July was agreed by Portglenone Independent Orange District No. 4. Parades, bonfires and annual celebrations were used as a platform to promote the rich Ulster Scots culture, music and language associated with it.

A spokesman for the District said: “Each year we have highlighted historical or cultural aspects which we see as a great way to explain to and include others in what we believe are important national events. This year the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday Celebrations and Armed Forces Day are being highlighted.”

Diary Dates

22nd June - FESTIVAL LAUNCH – Braid Centre, Ballymena 1 pm; 8pm Origins of the Orange Seminar, ILOI HQ Ballymoney, Dr. James Wilson

23rd June - Banners on the Bann exhibition & Workshop, Drumraw Ind. (10) – from 3pm

24th June - Exhibition on Lodge History 4.00pm – 7 pm then, Ulster Scots Evening, BBQ and Family Fun Evening from 8pm at Killycoogan Ind. Orange Hall

25th June – ARMED FORCES DAY – Commemorating the Somme Exhibition and Open day hosted by Bushside Ind Flute Band, with music and refreshments BANDS ON BANN –Milltown Band Parade, Portglenone 8pm

26th June - Somme Commemorative Service Bushside Ind Orange Hall 3pm

27th June- Community Art Workshop ‘Arch Raising’, Portglenone OH, from5pm

28th June Historical Talk & Exhibition, The ‘Scotch Black’ ILOI HQ. Ballymoney – 8pm

30th June FROM THE BANN TO THE SOMME, and Great War Great Memories Event 5pm followed by Sounds of the Somme Evening & Somme Vigil, 8pm, Venue 1

1st July Somme Memorial Events Act of Remembrance 7.30am followed by breakfast then Covenant Connections Conference 10 am – 3 pm 8pm - Somme Parade, with Post Parade Exhibition & Talk - Protestant Hall, Ballymena

2nd July War Walk & Breakfast, Venue 3, then Festival in the Forest and Poppy Picnic 8pm - Bands on Bann – Killycoogan Ind Accordion Band Parade, Family Fun, and BBQ

3rd July Somme Centenary Drumhead Service & Parade, 2.45 Townhill Rd, 3pm Venue 7

4th July Lambeg Drumming Summer School running daily, McNeillstown Ind OH 8 pm - Bread n Jam Session “Beacon ‘n Butties” – Knights of Malta Beacon Event, Killcoogan Ind Orange Hall, music by Diana Culbertson and Blazing Bellows

5th July - Bread n Jam Session “ Fun at Finvoy”, Keers Memorial Hall, Finvoy 8pm

6th July - Ulster Scots Language Summer School, for two days ILOL HQ Ballymoney

7th July - Vintage in the Village, Portglenone Town Square 8pm

8th July - Drums along the River – Portglenone Village Square

9th July - Big Breakfast - ILOL HQ Ballymoney 9am music by the Hounds of Ulster, 8 pm Ulster Scots Gospel Concert, Venue 1, music by Low Country Boys

10th July - Church Parades, Garryduff ILOL 15 to Garryduff Presbyterian Church at 3.30 pm.

11th July - Ulster Scots Ceildh, Venue , 7.30 – 11.30pm with Allister Scott Ceildh Band Traditional Eleventh Night Bonfire – Ahoghill lighting 12 midnight

12th July – Traditional Twelfth Celebrations - Assembly Field from 11.00am with Main Parade 1.00pm to Demonstration Field, Clady Road. Return - 4.30pm