Former X Factor and Pop Star to Opera Star winner, Joe McElderry, will be top billing at next weekend’s Paralympic Flame Festival in Belfast.
The singer will perform as part of the celebrations at City Hall on Saturday, August 25. Also performing on the night will be Luminous Soul and the Open Arts Choir and there will be activities and displays by Disability Sport NI.
Tickets for the event are free and are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Place, on a first come, first served basis.
The special event – sponsored by Games partners BT and Sainsbury’s – will see the grounds of City Hall come alive with music and entertainment ahead of the lantern parade arriving and the showcasing of the Paralympic Agitos on the front of City Hall.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Gavin Robinson said: “We are all still on a high from the Olympics and celebrating the achievements of our local athletes. Now here we are, gearing up for another spectacular celebration of sport.
“The Flame Festival, along with the lantern parade, promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for the city. There will be something for everyone with free entertainment and family fun in the grounds of City Hall and I hope people will come along and join us.”
Next Wednesday (August 22) the Northern Irish flame will be lit at the summit of Slieve Donard. A group of young disabled and able-bodied Scouts will go up the mountain to kindle a flame which will then be placed in a miner’s lantern and transferred to Belfast for the Paralympic celebrations.
On the morning of Saturday, August 25, the Northern Ireland flame will be brought to Stormont with seven district councils lighting their own lantern to take back to their respective areas.
The Belfast flame will visit communities across the city ahead of a lantern parade from the Belfast Waterfront to City Hall that evening. The Paralympic cauldron will then be lit at City Hall.
For more information visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/olympics or to enquire about tickets contact the Welcome Centre on 028 9024 6609.