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

Down

The Festival of Flight 2014 will once again launch a full programme of thrilling events in Newcastle from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th August with the airshow taking place on Saturday.  The airshow is the centre piece of the Festival where the crowds watch in awe as the sky over Dundrum Bay is filled with the roar of engines. There will also be a programme of amazing displays throughout the afternoon with the Aviation Village open from 10am. Be sure to come early and book your space!

Tyrone

Omagh District Council is hosting the Royal Scottish Pipe Band NI Branch Ulster Championships this Saturday 9th August at the Tyrone Farming Society Show Grounds.  This family event will see the very best pipers, drummers and drum majors compete for the coveted titles.  The RPSBANI organises and delivers all Championship Pipe Band and Drum Major Contests in Northern Ireland and the Ulster Solo Piping and Drumming Championships.

Fermanagh

Fermanagh District Council in partnership with the Department, Culture, Arts and Leisure have organised free angling sessions for girls and ladies specifically on Saturday 9 August 2014.  Three time slots are available; 10am-12noon, 12noon-2pm and 2pm-4pm.  Registration is essential with spaces allocated on a first come, first served basis.  Information regarding registration can be obtained from www.fermanagh.gov.uk/summerangling.

Derry

Stendhal Festival of Art returns even bigger in its fourth year, now, as Winners of the Best Small Festival in Ireland as voted for by the public.  Headlined this year by music legends The Undertones on Friday 8th August and Scottish indie rockers, Frightened Rabbit on Saturday 9th August, once again Stendhal brings over 50+ acts to please all musical tastes.  *Building on their Comedy dimension this year’s headliner is the incomparable Arthur Smith.  *With an eclectic mix of visual and performance arts, comedy, film, music and a packed kids programme, Stendhal’s ethos is to inspire old and young alike through affordable access to the arts.

Armagh

The 7 Hills Blues Fest is back for the 4th year to turn Armagh blue! From Chicago Rhythm, to Funk Style this festival will see blues fans flock to Armagh City from Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th August 2014.  Relax and listen some blues classics and discover new talent, with this year’s  festival hosting over 50 free gigs plus the return of some old fringe events and some exciting new ones.  A weekend of Blistering Summer Blues not too be missed!

Antrim

Enjoy a tour of Kilcoan Gardens, Islandmagee this Saturday then relax in the barn for afternoon Cream Tea followed by a demonstration of how to arrange a hand tied bouquet, using flowers from the garden. The bouquet will then be raffled for someone to take home!

Belfast

The 10th Anniversary Festival of Speed & Family Fun Day takes place this Saturday 9th August at Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI) Mallusk Road Belfast, with guest Eugene Laverty & Voltcom Crescent Suzuki World Superbike team. Other attractions include Room 2 Race Simulators, Bouncy Castle, Bouncy Slide, Wipeout Sweeper, Postman Pat, Truck display, Ice-Cream van and BBQ, Mercedes-Benz AMG vehicle display, Rally cars and more…

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.