Saturday 10th May will see the second day of the Grande Partenza or the ‘big start’ of the Giro d’Italia race, pass through Newtownabbey.
As part of the Causeway Coastal Route, the cyclists will race through Glengormley at approximately 10.50am and along the Shore road at approximately 4pm as they near the finish line in Belfast.
To celebrate this historic event and to help everyone get into the spirit of the Giro d’Italiia, five family fun events have been organised to take place along the route:
Get into Glengormley for the Giro fun taking place throughout the town centre from 9am-1pm! The event will be jam-packed with activities for all the family including face-painting, arts and crafts, balloon modelling, street entertainment, bouncy castles and some children’s favourite characters on walkabout!
The caravan of promotional vehicles will be giving out goodies and creating a buzz in Glengormley at 9.20am so be sure not to miss out on this!
At Loughshore Park from 1-5pm, there will be amusements, inflatables and lots of family fun activities. Why not get in the ‘pink’ and try the sports on offer – pink cycling, pink football and pink aerobics. Cycling enthusiasts will love the cycling challenges and cycle checks. With the exception of the amusements, all activities are FREE!
Whiteabbey Village will host an event from 2-4pm which will see the Really Rubbish Orchestra perform with instruments made from bicycle parts in the Presbyterian Church car park. The Templemore Silver Band will also provide entertainment while children’s activities such as face painting and balloon modelling will be available.
Fun days will take place at Rathcoole (Shore Road entrance) and Merville Garden Village fun from 2-4pm with free inflatables, face painting and balloon modelling and a performances by local bands.
In order to facilitate the race, the following road closures will be in place during the event:
Antrim Road 8am-11.30am and Shore Road 1pm-4.40pm.
Sandyknowes offslip at M2 will also have limited access during the times of 8am-11.30am.
Everyone is encouraged to get into the carnival spirit that the Giro brings and ‘pink it up’ by dressing in pink, wearing pink wigs and making pink flags and banners! Look out for local food businesses offering Italian menus and admire the Giro themed window displays which will be on offer in Glengormley.
For more information on the Giro d’Italia, please visit www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/giro or contact Lisa O’Kane on telephone 028 9034 0052 or email lokane@newtownabbey.gov.uk