Jacqueline shares her pick of what’s on this weekend across NI

Down

Portaferry Sails and Sounds Festival on the shores of Strangford Lough and Portaferry Town,  entering its 3rd successful year, is aiming to add and improve the festival each year with new events and keeping some of the popular traditional events. Highlights this year include Brian Boru Tall Ship, trips on Strangford Lough, kids entertainment, themed food talks,  and exhibits. The festival runs from the 28th June until the 1st July.

Armagh

Our Wee Craft Village at Brownlow House in Lurgan will be hosting its first fair on Sat 30th June from 10.00 am – 3.00 pm`.  Another fun filled event with kids crafts, live demos, make and take sessions for all ages, plus 25+ craft stalls, with all handcrafted products.  There will be jewellery making, kids crafts, jumping clay for kids and art workshops and live demos for the adults.  The vintage car club will be also be exhibiting outside in the gardens and raising money for various charities.  Come along for a great family fun day out!  Entrance Fee £4.

Fermanagh

The roads of Fermanagh will echo to the sound of racing bikes for the first time in 66 years when the Fermanagh 100 Road Races return to the county. The Enniskillen and District Motorcycle Club is set to host two days of racing on Friday 29th June and Saturday, June 30 on a three mile circuit based in the shadow of Cuilcagh Mountain. Organisers have promised that the course will feature a ‘little bit of everything’ ranging from wide fast straights with sweeping corners to blind jumps along narrow tree lined routes, only a few miles from the now famous stairway to heaven walk over Marble Arch Geopark and Lough Erne and local marinas. The race schedule will see a full day of practices on the Friday and on Saturday there will be an eleven race program with the Richard Britton Memorial Race to be the showcase of the day.

Tyrone

Don’t miss this year’s Cookstown Summer Carnival on Friday 29th June! The carnival parade begins at 7.00 pm with all the fun continuing until 10.00pm with live entertainment,  food village and a fairground.  Admission is free. Organised by The Hub for all the community.

Derry/Londonderry

This year’s St. Lurach’s Maghera Garden Fete and Vintage Rally takes place this Saturday 30th June.  There will be vintage vehicles, live music, strongmen, afternoon teas, Ulster Scots and Traditional Irish Music and free entertainment for the children. Ritchie Remo and David “Jonny Cash” Kelly with also be making a special appearance in the afternoon.

Antrim

This Saturday 30th June the Organisers of “Pirates Off Portrush”, Portrush Heritage Group, will stage the 6th adventure of the notorious Pirate Off Portrush, Tavish Dhu when the town is invaded by the Emperor of The Orient. The Emperor and his Dragon Queen, with her ferocious Dragons and Ninja Warriors, are searching for Skerry Island of the Seven Cities which they believe contains great riches. The Emperor has not reckoned on coming against Tavish, the fearless Pirate Off Portrush. The outcome, will be revealed at the festival, but be warned the town is full of Pirates and Ninja Warriors. Events kick-off at 11.00 am on Saturday with a Pirates Treasure Hunt, from the Portrush Atlantic Hotel, followed at 1.00 pm with the Pirate Dance and Pirate Dress Competitions at the Amphitheatre.

Belfast

It’s party time at Roar and Explore, Daisy Farm Shopping Centre, when Moana, Batman and Spiderman come and play this Friday 29th June! This first Party Night will include singing and games from Princess and all-round heroine Moana plus a Super Hero Academy from both Batman and Spiderman, who will put you through your paces. There will be plenty of opportunity for photos and play in the roarsome Roar and Explore!

For more details on these events and to add your events free go to whatsonni.com. Follow us on twitter @whatsonNI and on facebook at fb.com/www.whatsonni.com for news, competitions and what’s on near you.

 

Jacqueline McGonigle