Excitement is mounting this week as the nation prepares to celebrate 60 years on The Throne for Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrate in style in Bangor this weekend with a series of world class entertainment acts and plenty to do and see for the whole family.
The celebrations will kick off on Saturday 2nd June with the arrival of the HMS Bangor at The Eisenhower Pier following a sail-past involving boats from local yacht clubs. The ship will be open to the public from 12 – 5pm all day Sunday. Also on Sunday, there will also be Armed Forces activities on The Pier with climbing towers, a shooting range, displays of military vehicles and a static Royal Navy Helicopter display.
On Sunday June 3rd, you are invited to attend The Big Jubilee Lunch which will take place in Castle Park from 2pm. This is the perfect opportunity for you to bring along a picnic, take part in The Big Lunch and enjoy the host of amazing live music celebrating the 50s, all in the splendid surroundings of The Town Hall.
Jazz fans will adore AJ Brown and The Swingshift Big Band who will be taking to the stage at 2.00pm. This 18 piece band will perform favourites from the likes of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and pride themselves on bringing big band music into the 21st Century.
At 4.00 pm the internationally renowned Jacqui Dankworth Band will be performing. Considered to be “one of the classiest acts in British jazz singing” (The Guardian), Jacqui’s highly acclaimed recordings are stylistically diverse, incorporating elements of folk, blues and many other forms that have also demonstrated her superb skills as an eclectic songwriter.
Sunday’s activities will conclude at 7pm, with an Interdenominational Church Service which will take place on the stage in front of The Town Hall. A United Schools Diamond Jubilee Choir, drawn from primary and secondary level schools across Bangor, will lead the singing with talented soloist, Sylvia Burnside and the Salvation Army Band.
For the kids, the entire Town Hall area will be transformed into a vintage-inspired Cartoon Wonderland – look out for old friends Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben and other surprises in a celebration of the creations of the 50s. There’ll be treasure hunts, crafts, a tea party, plant-potting, dressing up and lots more, guaranteed to keep the kids entertained for hours with lots of nostalgia for the adults!
In the courtyard just in front of the Town Hall – a special Jubilee version of the popular Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fair will delight the shopaholic! This will feature a fabulous line up of around 50 handpicked local vintage dealers and creative designers offering an extravaganza of vintage and handmade fashion, jewellery, furniture, homewares, collectables, gifts, sweet treats and much more.
For the car-lovers, a Vintage Car Display featuring cars and military vehicles from the era will be taking place in Castle Park. Hosted by The MMOC, highlights of The Show so far, which will feature over 50 cars, include: a Morris Minor Panda Police Cart, fully restored complete with Police equipment, a 1971 MG B Roadster and a 1973 Triumph 2000. A beautifully restored old Council refuse collection truck will also be on display.
There’s lots happening inside The Museum too with exhibitions based on Royal Visits to North Down and the Cinema Room will be screening films from The Coronation and previous Royal visits. The Museum will also have Jubilee related crafts on Sunday 12noon- 4pm and Monday 10am – 4pm.
In a marquee on The West Lawn, a recreated 1950s home will reflect the best of the 50s with sections on Food, Frolics, Frocks and Furniture. The Council’s recycling team show you how to make the best of what you’ve got, with themed workshops to turn your old clothes into outfits fit for a Queen.
All Town Hall activities will be repeated on Monday 4th June with some adjustments to the musical programme.
The Ulster Orchestra will be rehearsing for their grand finale performance from 4.00 – 6.00 pm in Castle Park, followed by the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra.
At 8.00 pm the Ulster Orchestra will perform a very special Jubilee concert with Internationally renowned soprano Rebekah Coffey who will be performing for her home crowd. Come along, bring a picnic and kick-back and enjoy this very special musical treat. The day’s events will conclude at 10.30pm with a spectacular 3D Projection light show onto The Town Hall. Watch The Town Hall move like it’s never moved before with this amazing show entitled “The Elegant Lady.” The light show will be followed by The National Lighting of the Jubilee Beacon.
So get your vintage gear on and prepare to step back in time this Bank Holiday weekend when you come and celebrate the Diamond Jubilee with us, lots of fun and entertainment for the whole family for the whole weekend!
Please note that Monday night’s concert is by ticket only. Free tickets are available for collection only from Bangor Leisure Centre, North Down Museum, Bangor’s Tourist Information Centre, Bangor Library and Holywood Library. Alcohol is not permitted at any of the weekend’s events.
For further information, please phone our Tourist Information Centre on: 028 9127 0069 or visit www.northdowntourism.com