Here are Jacqueline’s pick of family events taking place this weekend across the North.

Down

Set across 50 acres in the beautiful surroundings of Castlewellan Forest Park,  The Castlewellan Agricultural Show takes place from 9am – 6pm on Saturday 19th July 2014.  Featuring classes for cattle, sheep, goats, horses, ponies, donkeys poultry, pigs, rabbits, dog agility and home industries, we are hosting two national championships and many qualifiers.  Dozens of trade stands, food and craft producers showcase their wares alongside live music, vintage tractors, carriage driving, demonstrations of countryside pursuits, Young Farmers competitions, pet show, fashion show, vintage tea tent and children’s amusements which will entertain all day long.

Tyrone

The inaugural Lough Neagh Fish Festival will run from 17th – 19th July. The Festival seeks to celebrate the local culture & culinary delights of the Lough Shore area and promises to have something for everyone to enjoy. The Festival is supporting “Cathy ar gcara” fund, founded in memory of local lady Cathy Cassidy (nee McCann) helping to raise money and awareness for the charity “Friends of the Cancer Centre” based at the Belfast City Hospital.  Throughout the the day festival, there will be  host of events to whet the appetites of the very young to the not so young, including Lough Neagh Heritage Day, Charity Cook Off, Fish Supper Session and An evening of yarns and folklore from around the Lough Shore.

Fermanagh

Children and parents are being encouraged to get involved with their local library this summer with the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge 2014.  Libraries NI, in collaboration with The Reading Agency, is inviting all children aged 4 and over and their parents/carers to sign up to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge called the Mythical Maze.  To start discovering, simply call in to any public library and register to collect a Mythical Maze free fold-out colour poster. Each participant will set their own challenge to read between 2 – 25 library books during the summer and a certificate and medal will be awarded to all those who complete their challenge and find their way through the Mythical Maze.  The Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge is taking place in all libraries across Fermanagh including Enniskillen , Irvinestown  and Lisnaskea.

Derry

The annual Red Sails Festival takes place this year from Sunday 20th July to Saturday 26th July.  The Red Sails Festival is an annual community event by the Portstewart Community Association in conjunction with Coleraine Borough Council.  The Red Sails Family Festival takes place in the picturesque seaside town of Portstewart and is a non-profit making festival organised by the Charitable Portstewart Community Association. Its voluntary members are involved in all aspects of organizing, planning, fund raising and implementing of the events. All of the entertainment and competitions are free, except the golf fees.  See www.redsails.co.uk for this year’s line-up of events.

Armagh

This Sunday 20th July The National Trust’s Argory estate will once again be filled with the sound of pipes, drums and folk music, along with Scottish dancing workshops. There will be solo piping performances and full pipe band sets throughout the afternoon. The Award winning Armagh School of Drum Majors will take part for the fifth year in succession. Once again, there will be traditional Scottish food in the Courtyard and you are encouraged to bring your West Highland or Scottish Terrier along for their very own unique gathering.

Antrim

This Summer, the Fairhill Shopping Centre Ballymena are hosting their very own Kids Club every Sunday from 1.30pm throughout July and August.

Belfast

It’s movie night this Saturday 19th July as the Shawshank Redemption returns to Crumlin Road Gaol.
Doors open 7.00pm, Movie starts 8.00pm. Entry includes free complimentary drink with free parking available on site.

For more details on these and other events across Northern Ireland, news and competitions see www.whatsonni.com, follow us @whatsonni and like us at fb.com/www.whatsonni. Add your  events FREE OF CHARGE at www.whatsonni.