Massive turn-out expected for ‘Keel parade

This will be the 29th annual event and the only band to have attended each and every one is the Freeman Memorial band from Coleraine who will be out to put on a show this time around also.

Everything has been put in place for the eagerly anticipated event and contest hosted by the local outfit.

“The amount of interest from around the town and borough has been phenomenal and high expectations of another top quality show are starting to put pressure on us,” says one of the organisers Rodney Quigley.

“Everyone that I talk to asks if this band or that band is coming and that has the knock on effect of putting pressure on ourselves as we don’t want to let anyone down. Last years parade attracted some of the most popular bands in Ulster and was started on time and ran like clockwork, these sorts of things don’t just happen by chance and a lot of praise has to be heaped upon the local Ballymena Parades Forum and their marshalls for their tireless work during the evening.”

Kilkeel can boast about having two of the best melody music bands around and both will be in Ballymena for the Ballykeel event, Mourne are a familiar sight but their biggest rivals and neighbours Pride of Ballinran have shown a willingness to appear again. Other top acts in this field of music will be Omagh Protestant Boys, Belfast Fife and Drum and of course Sir George White Memorial from Broughshane.

Dunloy are the biggest name in the accordion world but they will have some very stiff opposition from other top bands such as their near neighbours the Vow, Staffordstown and Burnside from Antrim along with many other local bands who will be out to impress and show that they are still living and well.

The ever popular blood and thunder style of bands will make up the largest quota on the night and all the big names will want to impress the large crowds around the streets of the town. Of course the two biggest names that everyone wants to see are East Belfast PB and Drumderg from Keady, these two are the size of armies and can put upwards of twenty five drums and forty flutes on the road any night that they walk. Gertrude Star, Shankill Star and Pride of the Shore, all from Belfast, will be out to win the judges ear and the big Ballymena crowds with their intricate styles.

The youth within the ranks of the Ballykeel outfit have been gaining a lot of experience over the past couple of years and are the envy of many around the country. Rodney adds: “These young lads have been a breath of fresh air to not only our band but too many other bands across Ulster, their dedication and discipline is there for all to see and they are a credit to themselves and the areas of the town that they hail from. The lads have worked very hard two and three nights per week to get to the level they are at and they will have to put on a big show in front of all their families and friends at their home parade on the 19th. A new learner class is starting again next week and more potential players are sought, we offer the chance to come along and find out if you have got what it takes, any age, with or without experience are very welcome ”

From the youth to the weary old souls that once graced the streets in Ballykeels ranks, a reunion and 30th birthday party is to be held in the Adair Arms on 15th September with top entertainment from the very sought after local group “Madasafish” and host for the evening, comic and impressionist John McBlain. Tickets are to be ordered through the present membership.

One of the best known bands from the era which Ballykeel where formed was the Steeple Defenders flute from Antrim and they will have pride of place on Saturday night when leading the event from Wakehurst at 8pm sharp. The procession will continue along Queen Street and then around the Waveney Road for approx. 8.25, Galgorm Road and onto Wellington Street for approximately 8.45. The first band should be on Broughshane Street for 9pm after taking in Ballymoney and William Streets, Church Street and onto Harryville bridge to a finish at Wakehurst again.

The host band would like to remind everyone that this is a night for all the family and that on street drinking will not be tolerated; “there will be many bars around the town very grateful of the business from any thirsty folk on the evening. A little light entertainment for the children will be walking around during the parade, this monster is child friendly but please do not feed him.”

Rodney Quigley goes on to say, “On behalf of the band we would like to ask everyone to give all the bands a great big Ballymena welcome, these parades are a brilliant advertisement for our town and the people that live here, it is nice when these many, many bands leave with a good impression of their visit to the Seven Towers. Please feel free to give a donation along the route as this is Ballykeel’s main income to help with the ever increasing running costs which in turn makes it possible to attract so many bands to Ballymena.”

Everything will start at 8.00pm sharp and the public is asked to allow extra time for journeys around the area on the evening.