You know Summer has arrived in Bangor when the Sunday music returns to The Bandstand in Ward Park.

North Down Borough Council’s popular Summer Sundays programme has been running for 9 years now and has become a weekly staple amongst its regulars who look forward to kicking back in the sunshine and enjoying some quality music acts. Summer Sundays will be even bigger this year with the arrival of speciality markets. Every Sunday there will be a market on site to browse, another great reason to come to Ward Park!

Kicking off this year on Sunday, 6 July, then running every Sunday for the whole of July and August,  this year’s programme features an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, rock n’roll, salsa and classical. The programme features old favourites like Ken Haddock and Dana Masters and will showcase new music like John Leighton, Los Dramatacos and The Avalon String Quartet and this year’s finale event will be the fabulous Open House Bluegrass Picnic taking place on the last Sunday in August.

Opening the programme on July 6^, is My One and Only Love – The music of Johnny Hartman which will be performed by the amazing Ken Haddock on vocals,  world renowned saxophone player Meilana Gillard and the superb piano playing of Scott Flanigan. This talented trio will be recreating the legendary compilation of Coltrane and Hartman first recorded in 1963, sure to be a special trip down memory lane. Please note this event will run from 4pm – 6pm for this Sunday only.

Immediately following the music at 6pm, the F18 World Championships Opening Ceremony will be taking place in Ward Park. This prestigious sailing event is being hosted this year by Ballyholme Yacht Club and will feature sailors from all around the world. The ceremony will include a welcoming troupe of dancers followed by the flag parade with athletes from 11 nations taking part. There will be speeches of welcome from The Mayor of North Down, the Commodore of Ballyholme Yacht Club with a response from the President of the International F18 Class.

So if you fancy a lazy Sunday in the park, enjoying live music from the comfort of a deck chair, stick the dates in your diary, gather your family and friends, pack a picnic and head to Ward Park, every Sunday in July and August from 3 – 5pm.

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol free zone.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone our Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit: www.northdowntourism.com