There’s lots to see and do for all the family next weekend in Bangor!
The Continental Market will be arriving at The McKee Clock Arena on Thursday May 14 for a five day stay. Featuring a wonderful range of foods and crafts from across Europe, the market has something for everyone and is a great day out for the whole family.
Bangor Sea Front will be home to an array of traders from all over the world, bringing foods and products from their country of origin. There will be a huge variety of flavours to try at the Bangor Continental Market, Jamaican traders will be offering their bespoke variety of Jerk chicken, Quorn products, Veggie wraps, mutton and lamb dishes. Island Spice Grill and other tour regulars such as Bella Paella and our Italian nougat and chocolate traders are once again looking forward to encouraging visitors to swap their buckets and spades for some delicious mouth-watering food. The culinary adventurous of Bangor and visitors to the seaside town can look forward to a colourful aromatic adventure of exciting flavours.
Opening hours of the Continental Market are:
Thursday to Saturday 09:00 to 18.00
Sunday 10:00 to 16:00
Monday 09:00 to 18:00
Then on Saturday, May 16, the Ards & North Down Pipe Championships will be taking place in Bangor. This ever popular event will see Pipe Bands & Drum Majors travel from all over Northern Ireland to compete to become champions. The event is free and runs from Noon to 6pm. The competition will be taking place in Castle Park which is sure to be a spectacular back drop for the event.
With over 40 bands from all over Northern Ireland and Scotland competing, the event promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family.
Speaking about the event, The Mayor of Ards and North Down Alderman Alan Graham said: “As Mayor of North Down I am delighted to welcome the Ards and North Down Pipe Band Championships to Bangor and am especially honoured to act as ‘Chieftain of the Day’ for this prestigious event.
The Championships are a firm favourite in the Council’s Events Programme and brings a great day of family entertainment to Bangor, to be enjoyed by competitors and supporters alike.”
The event kicks off at 12 noon and runs till 6pm so come along for an afternoon of pure entertainment!
The fun will begin the minute you arrive into Bangor because to mark the 150th Anniversary of the extension of Bangor Railway Line from Holywood a special event will be taking place at Bangor Train Station on Saturday and Sunday 16 and 17 May. Between 2 and 4pm on the Saturday, there will be children’s entertainment, a model railway lay-out and display and a special photographic exhibition illustrating the history of the line.
Look out on the station too for musicians and living history actors portraying some of the key characters in the 150 year history of the line.
On Sunday 17 May, the RPSI are running steam excursions from Belfast Central to Bangor and return; tickets can be purchased in advance from www.steamtrainsireland.com or from the Belfast Welcome Centre. The arrival at Bangor station at 1.55pm will be met in style, with representatives in period costume. This train will stop briefly at Holywood station, en route, to allow the local townsfolk to send it off to Bangor in style.
So come to Bangor next weekend – there’s something on offer for everyone!