Making Merry at Holywood’s May Day Celebrations

There’s lots to see and do in Holywood on Monday 6th May, when the town will be transformed and filled with family fun for the annual May Day celebrations.

The town, which boasts the only Maypole in Ireland, will be filled with over 70 stalls including an Italian Speciality market, children’s activities, street entertainment, and a diverse menu of music and dance, all adding up to a great day out for the whole family.

Brand new entertainment includes a fantastic display from The Cone Dancers – a 21st Century Maypole
eight metres high which creates a new stage for an extraordinary aerial performance – the illusion is gravity defying and extraordinary! It promises to be a truly modern day adaptation of maypole dancing.

Music from The Brass Volcanoes will resound through the Town Centre – the jazz band consisting of brass, saxophones and drums are inspired by a long tradition of brass bands from New Orleans as well as other parts of the world: expect flavours of The Balkans, Latin America, The Caribbean and Kletzmer, all with their own London twist.

In addition to this will be performances from The Divine Company – a stunning display of ribbon dances guaranteed to introduce a generous splash of colour and energy to the day.

Holywood & District Community Council have organised traditional favourites; Bonnie Baby Competition (10.30 am, Queen’s Leisure Complex) and Fancy Dress Competition (12.30 pm – the themes this year are Merry May Day, Stars of Holywood & As You Like It)

The ever- popular Maypole Dancing will take place at 11am and 1pm. Young children can get their chance to dance around their own Maypole with Jump, Jiggle and Jive from 12 noon – 4.00 pm and if that just gets them going there will be 2 discos in Queen’s Leisure Complex – (p1-p3 1.00 – 2.00 pm) and (p4-P7 2.30 pm-3.30 pm).

For the older swingers in Town there will be a Tea Dance – also held at Queen’s Leisure Complex from 1.00 -3.00 pm.

So come on down to Holywood on Monday, 6th May from 10am – 4pm for a fun-filled day!

For further information on this event please contact Bangor Tourist Information Centre on (028) 9127 0069 or email tic@northdown.gov.uk.