Holywood is a buzz with preparations for the annual Merry May Day event on Monday 7 May.

The free family fun day, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council in partnership with Holywood and District Community Council, will present a programme packed with things to see and do for all ages, helping you to make the most of the bank holiday.

This year’s event has an enchanting spring and floral theme.  Look out for Floris, the captivating and mystical flower nymph who will be gliding through the crowds in her beautifully adorned globe. Colourful vibrant performances will come in all shapes and sizes; form the fantastic street Dragons, to a soulful blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance by the impressive Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda, to Irish dancing by the McElhinney School of Dance.  A highlight of the day is always the choreographed dance performed by local school children around Ireland’s only maypole.

The event will see a number of much loved favourites features returning: the crowning of the May Queen, the Bonny Baby competition and, of course, the fancy dress competition, which always sees fantastic display of effort. This year children are invited to come along as mini Kings and Queens, Super Heroes and their favourite storybook characters.

‘Jump, Jiggle and Jive’ will be on hand with their mini maypole for those little one’s eager to have a go too. Punch and Judy will be making appearances throughout the day for those that love a puppet show.

Those who love a bargain will enjoy the market and stalls on offer in the town, housed between the wonderful eateries and boutiques that Holywood has to offer.

The daylong event starts at 10am transforming High Street and Church Road into a mecca of amusement that will last until 4pm. Make a day of it in Holywood!

For more details, visitardsandnorthdown.com or call 028 9127 0069.

If you love a cappella then don’t miss pitch perfect 4 IN A BAR.

Playing Portico Arts & Heritage Centre in Portaferry on Saturday 12 May, award-winning 4 IN A BAR is one of Ireland’s most loved vocal ensembles. Eoin, Tristan, Paul and Shane – current recipients of the IABS International Male Voice Quartet Award (and five-time Gold Medal winners) – have a passion for close harmony and Barbershop singing, as seen in their charismatic concert performances.

The guys enjoy a year-round schedule of engagements from high-profile to low, including performing for the president of Ireland at Áras an Uachtaráin, Dublin, national and international TV coverage, jingle recordings for radio stations including RTE, international competitions and festival performances. They are especially known for their antics every year at the RDS Horse Show.

Their varied style covers everything from classical music to traditional, pop and rock. Their arrangements are written in-house by Eoin, who puts the group’s unique stamp on everything they perform. Their programme for Portico is of music from the native land. Musically, it takes in a little bit of everything, from Ireland’s greatest classical composers to its most famous popular songwriters, old folk songs, brand new compositions, even a ceili band!

The Royal Air Force will mark its 100^th anniversary in style at Air Waves Portrush on September 1^st and 2^nd.

With appearances by the Red Arrows, the Typhoon jet, the Tutor and the Falcons parachute display team, the event promises to provide a memorable showcase of skills, stunts and daredevil action. History and heritage will also be to the fore with showcases from the Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire who come together in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The roar of the Typhoon will echo through the skies on Saturday and Sunday with its trademark noise, speed and glowing afterburners matched by a breathtaking display.

On Sunday, the world renowned Red Arrows will thrill the thousands gathered in the East Strand amphitheatre with their speed, agility and precision which makes them one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams. As outstanding ambassadors for the RAF, their precision flying represents the very best of the organisation.

The Falcons, regarded as the UK’s premier military display team, will also take flight on Sunday. This exciting free-fall display filled with high speed manoeuvres and canopy skills will provide another unforgetable sight during the weekend event.

The RAF’s air displays will be matched by a range of attractions on the ground including a static display of a Red Arrows Hawk which gives members of the public access to one of the world’s must iconic flying machines.

Welcoming the RAF to Air Waves Portrush, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “We are delighted to be a part of this very special year for the Royal Air Force as it celebrates 100 years of service. The Red Arrows and the Typhoon will be among the highlights of the weekend’s impressive flying programme which makes Air Waves Portrush Ireland’s biggest air show. We look forward to welcoming huge crowds for what promises to be a fabulous weekend of entertainment.”

Alongside the RAF flying programme, it has been confirmed that the Swiss Classic Formation will make its Portrush debut this year. This vintage trio will entertain the crowds with its unique brand of excitement created by the Beech 18 and DC-3 aircraft. The event will also feature the Global Stars aerobatic team, the Catalina sea plane, the Sea Fury and the Calidus Autogyro.  And with more aircraft still to be confirmed it looks set to be an action packed two days on the Causeway Coast.

Keep up to date with very latest news at www.airwavesportrush.co.uk or follow @airwavesportrush on Facebook and Twitter.

The May Day Bank Holiday is nearly upon us and it’s time to start planning your weekend wisely.

Belfast will be alive with the sound of music across the Bank Holiday weekend (4^th-7^th May) with live sets in some of the city’s best bars and venues. Enjoy DJs in Babel, boogie at The National’s beer garden disco, jam along to the eclectic sound of Francis Inferno Orchestra in Bullitt or listen to smooth Jazz and Blues in The Cloth Ear, not to mention food and drink offers throughout the weekend.

Whatever your preference, don’t miss a beat; plan your May Day weekend with this what’s on guide.

Bullitt

Start the Bank Holiday weekend with sunshine and good vibes in the Bullitt courtyard on Friday 4^th May. Melbourne’s Francis Inferno Orchestra will be kicking off the first of Bullitt’s Bank Holiday DJ parties from 8pm, with support from resident Jonny Carberry.

Babel

Join the Summer Party in Belfast’s coolest roof-top bar, Babel on Saturday 5^th May. Gear up for an all-day line-up of live music, DJs, drinks and BBQs in the roof garden from 12pm. Chill out with one of Babel’s new summer slushies with four tasty flavours available.

The National

The National is hosting Alfresco Disco in its beer garden on Sunday 6^th May. Expect live music performances, DJ sets with all-time favourite anthems and BBQ nibbles. If you can’t make it, not to worry, the Alfresco Disco will be back at the end of the month for another Bank Holiday celebration (27^th).

The Dirty Onion

The Dirty Onion always delivers with live performances from start to finish, and this Bank Holiday is no different. Enjoy live acoustic acts in the beer garden and trad sessions inside every day from Friday to Monday, as well as the best craft beer and whiskey selection in town.

The Cloth Ear

Glide into the Bank Holiday weekend with smooth jazz and blues from local musicians, The Lee Hedley Blues Band on Friday 4th May in The Cloth Ear (5-7pm). If the all-day menu doesn’t tickle your fancy, why not try something from the dedicated vegan and gluten allergy menus; there will be something for everyone.

TOURISM businesses on the North Coast have joined forces to create a brand new tour to welcome visitors for the beginning of the International NW200 Race Week.

‘NW200 Feast & Fun Tour’ is a brand new experience which is being hosted by Glenara Elite Travel and supported by Maddybenny, Dalriada Kingdom Tours, the Tartine at the Distiller’s Arms in Bushmills, the Slemish Market Supper Club, Lime Park, the NW200 and Live It Experience It.

The ‘NW200 Feast & Fun Tour’, which will take place on Sunday, May 13, incorporates a breakfast time drinks reception at Maddybenny, a trip to Dunluce Castle, a guided tour of the Giant’s Causeway followed by an award winning lunch in Bushmills. From the Tartine, guests will venture on to the Dark Hedges and Armoy before settling down mid afternoon to hear BBC sports pundit Liam Beckett MBE tell his stories before a six course meal is served up by award winning chef Robert Curley.

Fergus Mackay, of the International NW200, said: “Our spectators love to travel around Northern Ireland while they are here so they will always want to know what there is to do, where there is to stay and where is good to eat. It’s fantastic Live It Experience It members are collaborating to create what will be a fantastic day out. And of course we are delighted Liam Beckett MBE is involved to give a talk at Armoy.

“Any of our spectators wishing to experience our North Coast should consider this tour which will be led by authentic tour guides who will give you a fantastic day out.”

Eleanor McGillie, of Live It Experience It, said: “Our tourism businesses are ready and waiting to welcome people to the North Coast. The ‘Feast & Fun Tour’ will be a fantastic experience. Visitors will get to taste the flavours of our shores and will also get the opportunity to sample Lough Neagh Eel as well as Lough Neagh Pollan, which, last week, was awarded PDO status by the European Commission.

“Not only that but our guides will take them to see for themselves why Lonely Planet voted Belfast and the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland the Best in Travel 2018.

“Tickets are being sold by the host Glenara Elite Travel and can be purchased here –  glenara-elite-travel.co.uk/nw200-feast-fun-tour/

“This tour takes in iconic sites, lunch and dinner and of course the craic will be great. So board the bus and come along for the ride.”

Tickets cost £100 and any money left over from ticket sales will be donated to the Air Ambulance of Northern Ireland.

An impressive line-up of 40 vintage and classic motorcycles will go on display in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady during the Vauxhall International North West 200 Race Week from May 12^th – May 20^th.

Set against a backdrop of historic motorcycling photographs taken around Limavady, ‘90+ Years of Motorcycles in Limavady’ promises to be a must-see exhibition for all road racing enthusiasts.

Many of the machines in the display organized by Ian Foster have a connection with the Limavady area. Some have been owned by people from the town and surrounding area or were originally supplied by local motorcycle dealers including Hutchinson Brothers, Campbell Donaghy, Glendinnings and Billy Nutt.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of evening lectures including a history of the North West from Event Director Mervyn Whyte, an insight into sand racing at Magilligan and an interview with former local road racer Alie Donaldson.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE said: “This new exhibition is a fantastic addition to the Race Week festival, helping to showcase almost a century of the Borough’s rich road racing heritage. Council is delighted to host this exceptional collection of bikes and photographs and we look forward to welcoming a host of new visitors throughout the week. Our Museums staff have worked closely with Ian and the North West 200 organisers on this new attraction, and it will be complemented by Council’s ‘NW200: Racing through the years’ exhibition which offers another fascinating glimpse in to the story of the iconic road race.”

Amongst the bikes on display will be a 1927 Royal Enfield, a 1941 ex-military Matchless G3L, a 1960 AJS 650cc, a replica of Tommy Robb’s 1972 Honda CB750-4 race bike, and the mighty 6-cylinder 1979 Honda CBX1000. The photographs of motorcycles in and around Limavady date from 1907 and include images from the first sand races run on Magilligan strand. Other rarities include a unique collection of the 1923 Coleraine 100 which ran only once in 1923 over 20 miles of roads connecting Macosquin, Limavady and Ringsend.

“It was really serious stuff with Norton fielding a full works team and Indian factory machines taking part as well.” local enthusiast Michael Boyle said.

The free nine-day exhibition at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre will be open on:

Saturday 12^th May 1pm – 9.30pm
Sunday 13^th 1- 5 pm, with a Show and Shine event in the Plaza.
Monday 14^th  10am – 5 pm
Tuesday 15^th 10am – 9.30pm
Wednesday 16^th 10am – 9.30pm
Thursday 17^th 10am – 5pm
Friday 18^th May 10am – 9.30pm
Saturday 19^th May 10am – 5pm
Sunday 20^th  May 1pm- 5 pm

For more information go to www.facebook.com/LimavadyClassics/ and www.roevalleyarts.com or email ian@netvigator.com.

Full details about the Race Week Festival are available at www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com