Here are Jacqueline’s pick of family events taking place this weekend across the North.
Down
This year’s Donaghadee Lifeboat Festival aims to cater for all age groups and you can be assured of a warm welcome and plenty of activities. There will be a large variety of stalls, children’s entertainment, games, visits to the Lighthouse and Lifeboat, along with the Annual Raft Race and much more. All the fun takes place this Saturday 2nd August at the Harbour in Donaghadee from 12.00pm to 5.00pm and admission is free.
Tyrone
Castlederg’s First Ever Summer Festival, ‘Dergfest’, will all kick off this Friday 1st August until Sunday 3rd August with an array of local musical talent taking to the streets and stage over this three day Festival. The headline night of the Festival is Saturday when Shane Filan will take to the stage with local support The Whistlin Donkeys and The Hootin Annies.
Fermanagh
The 3rd International Beckett Festival will take place in Enniskillen from Thursday 31st July to Sunday 10th August 2014. Klaus Maria Brandauer, Gavin Bryars, Tacita Dean, Adrian Dunbar, Heiner Goebbels, Antony Gormley, The Hilliard Ensemble, Derek Jarman, Netia Jones, Steve McQueen, Fiona Shaw, Peter Stein and John Tomlinson are amongst the artists featured in this year’s programme.
Derry
The 2014 Kite Festival takes place this Sunday 3rd August at Downhill Demesne. This high-flying spectacle will offer fun for all the family as a kaleidoscope of kites of all sizes fly over the stunning coastal estate. Kite performers, kite making, educational activities and the Wild Geese parachute display. To add to the festive atmosphere there will be a kids’ area with crafts, bouncy castles, rides, Segways, exhibitors, craft and food stalls and more.
Armagh
Join the Armagh Planetarium this weekend for their Great Balloon Race as hundreds of helium filled balloons will take to the skies over Armagh. Prizes will be awarded to the launcher and to the person who finds the balloon that has travelled the greatest distance. How far will your balloon travel? Last year one of the balloons went all the way to Germany!
Antrim
One of the most successful community festivals in Northern Ireland, the ‘Heart of the Glens Festival’ caters for all age groups, from toddlers to grandparents. This year’s colourful programme, which runs from the 2nd to the 10th August, includes the ever popular ‘Theme Street Night’ Ceili, the Lurig Run, the Family Fun Vintage Day and of course Ireland’s longest ‘Waves of Tory’. Over 100 events are planned throughout the week. Fantastic fun for all!
Belfast
The Garth Brooks tribute show with full live band will be appearing at The Crumlin Road Gaol this Saturday 2nd August. The No.1 tribute show to the biggest selling solo artist of the 90’s, Garth Brooks, is the next best thing to the man himself. Doors Open 7pm. Show starts 8.15pm.
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