This Sunday, August 9, six-piece band, Soul Truth will be performing at The Bandstand in Ward Park as part of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Summer Entertainment Programme.

Soul Truth, led by vocalist and front man Andy Whittaker comprises of a fully-live brass section and will entertain the crowds with a full set of Motown classics and hits from Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Florence and The Machine, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles and so many more. Ward Park is sure to be dancing!

So if you fancy spending an afternoon in beautiful surroundings, enjoying top class live music, then pack a picnic and get down to Ward Park, this Sunday from 3 – 5pm for this free event. Let’s hope the sun shines!

Please note that Ward Park is an alcohol-free zone.

Keep an eye out in local press each week for details on each artist or for more information phone Bangor Visitor Information Centre on 028 9127 0069 or visit:

www.visitardsandnorthdown.com

Tourism NI has put together a list of 10 exciting things to do in Northern Ireland next week (August 10 – 16).

• CRAFT FEST 2015, Castle Ward, Strangford, Co Down, August 14-16. Now in its twelfth year, CRAFT FEST is the Craft & Design Collective’s annual celebration of craft, applied art and design at Castle Ward. CRAFT FEST offers visitors a Craft Festival that includes a fair, demonstrations and workshops, an exhibition ‘In The House’, and the chance to meet some of the NI’s finest designer-makers in an incredible location. Friday – 1pm to 5.30pm and Saturday to Sunday 10.30am to 5.30pm.

• ‘Allo, ‘Allo, Strule Arts Centre, Townhall Square, Omagh, Co Tyrone, August 14-15. Belvoir Players have been producing first class amateur theatre for nearly 50 years and annually tour the Province with entertaining comedies and their latest play brings to the stage the life of René Artois and his life within his small café in France during World War 11. Begins at 8pm.

• Brighter Nights Street Theatre, Ballycastle Seafront, Ballycastle, Co Antrim, August 14. The Brighter Nights season offers popular summer street theatre performances suitable for people of all ages, with performers offering comic routines, technical skill and audience participation. All children must be accompanied by an adult. From 7.45pm.

• Longline Surf School Kids Big Day Out, Benone Strand, Co Londonderry, August 14. Let the kids spend the day outside: surfing in the morning, swimming in the afternoon and beach games in between. It is sure to be a great day out! Children are supervised at all times throughout the day.

• 25th Anniversary at the Ark Open Farm, Bangor Road, Newtownards, Co Down, August 10. Celebrate the 25th Anniversary at Ark Open Farm Fun Day with a bouncy castle, mega inflatable slide, assault course, face painting, barbecue and all the fun of the farm with the stars of the show – the animals! From 11am -4pm.

• Belfast Bred Tour, Belfast City Centre, August 14-15. On Belfast Bred you’ll discover the city’s fascinating culinary history in the company of Barney, a cheeky chef from RMS Titanic. Defrosted after 99 years frozen in an iceberg, Barney has just two and a half hours to search Belfast for the finest ingredients. This mouth watering dramatic tour gives you the chance to chat with local chefs and savour a wealth of free samples at each location.  Begins 10.30am at Sawers, Fountain Street.

• Donaghadee Festival Fortnight, Donaghadee harbour and town centre, Donaghadee, Co Down, August 1-16. Enjoy a fortnight of festive activities and events in this pretty harbour town. The 2015 Festival promises to be the best yet with over 45 events organised throughout the fortnight. There will be everything from concerts to farmers markets and yoga classes to art exhibitions.

• Crom Cruise and Castle Tour, Share Discovery Village, Smiths Strand, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, August 12. Cruise to Crom and enjoy a tour of the West Wing. Your cruise will depart Share Village at 2pm navigating its way through the intricate maze of islands on Upper Lough Erne towards Crom Castle Boathouse where you will enjoy a tour of the West Wing at Crom Castle.

• Lúnasa Festival of Craft, Slieve Gullion Courtyard (Hawthorn Suite), 89 Drumintee Road, Kileavy, Newry, Co Armagh, until August 16. Come and explore the skills of the local artists and crafts people who have been inspired by the beauty of the Ring of Gullion to create unique pieces in a range of mediums. From 9am every day.

• Summer Jazz Nights With Jazz Gazette, Alley Theatre, Strabane, Co Tyrone, August 14, 28 and September 11.Enjoy the lovely summer nights filled with the sounds of rhythm and blues from renowned jazz musicians ‘Jazz Gazette’.  Jazz Gazette will be joined by special guests and welcome anyone that would like to come and ‘jamm’ with them. From 8.30pm.

Please note some of the events require pre-booking. For more details on these and other events click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events, visit your local tourist information centre or log onto www.facebook.com/discovernorthernireland.

Down

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is bringing culture outdoors again with an unmissable performance of Jane Eyre in Solitude Park, Banbridge on Friday 7th August at 7.30pm.  Chapterhouse Theatre Company will deliver another powerful adaptation of this beautiful story of undying love by Charlotte Brontë.

Armagh

The 7 Hills Blues Fest in Armagh City will take place from 6th to 9th August. It’s that time of year where Blues, Jazz and Roots music comes to the fore at the 5^th festival. Enjoy the hospitality of Armagh’s fantastic bars & restaurants across the city. The Blues fraternity has lost one of the greatest performers “BB King” so this year  think of his genius as you enjoy this weekend of blistering summer Blues!

Fermanagh

Looking for adventure and fun this summer? SHARE run an annual Summer Adventure camp including the Junior Adventure Camp and Bushwacker Camp which starts on Sunday 9th of August to Sunday the 16th August.  The camps include morning, afternoon and evening activities, food and accommodation, RYA/BCU Qualification, 24 Hour Supervision.  Courses run from Sunday 9th August to Sunday 16th August to assist with drop off and pick up, however participants may also arrive on Monday morning before 9.30 am.

Tyrone

Share nature’s home for the night at The Big Wild Sleepout! Get close to nature with the RSPB in the fantastic surroundings of the Ulster American Folk Park on Saturday, 8 August 2015.This is a camping trip like no other. Get involved in bush crafts, bat detecting, nature orienteering, stargazing, arts and crafts and much more.

Derry/Londonderry/Legenderry

With over 60 musical acts including Donovan, Kerbdog, We Were Promised Jetpacks and DJ Format ready to descend on Limavady for Stendhal Festival of Art on August 8th and 9th, you may be forgiven for thinking that music was all Stendhal is all about.  That however, couldn’t be further from the truth as The Multi-Award winning festival has always prided itself on being an all-encompassing arts event and this year is no different.  Stendhal will also be showcasing Film, Theatre, Dance, Poetry, Comedy, Craft and a galaxy of other artistic endeavours over the weekend, with some top names to watch out for.

Antrim

The Heart of the Glens Festival continues until 9^th August.  Events during the week include those firmly established in the festival calendar such as the Lurig Challenge Run, Lorry and Float Parade, Glens Vintage Day, and Ireland’s Longest Waves of Tory. In addition to the more regular events there will be some new and exciting themes and activities for young and old to enjoy!

Belfast

Frock Around The Clock will be returning to beautiful Malone House Belfast for the fabulous ‘End of Summer’ Vintage & Handmade Fair on Sunday 9th August and will feature 45 stalls of vintage, handcrafted & upcycled fashion, furniture, homewares and collectibles, textiles and decor, jewellery, sweet treats, toys, art, craft, gifts, artisan food, children & baby wear & much more!

Add your events free at www.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.

Saturday 8 August – Friday 14 August

Saturday 8 August, Super Saturday at The Square

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free Event, 10am – 4pm

A free family day out to celebrate the return of the weekly market at Conway Square, with pop up performances, live music, a bouncy castle, face painter, magic shows and much more.

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 8: Plant & Play ‘Design A Fairy Garden’

Sun 9: Science Show  ‘Forensics’ , Ulster-Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 8 and 9 August, Fun at the Lough

Portaferry, various locations

Free Entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Free entertainment every weekend this August in Portaferry, including Fishy Fun Street Theatre, Exploris Discovery Tank and Exhibitions.

Sat 8: Fish Heads

Sun 9: Captain John Ed Smith

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 9 August, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Join us for the summer season of free live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act:  Soul Truth Band (Funk, Soul, R’n’B)

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 9 August, Summer Band Concert

Conway Square, Newtownards

Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm

Join us for the summer season of free band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.

This week’s band: Lord Londonderry Flute Band

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 8 August, Crawfordsburn and Helen’s Bay Walk

Tour departs from Station Square, Helen’s Bay, 10:30am

Tickets: £3

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 9 August, Strangford Lough Boat Tour

Tour departs from the Slipway, Portaferry, 2pm

Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Wednesday 12 August, Kids ‘Sea Creatures Nature Trail’

Tour departs from Education Centre, Crawfordsburn Country Park, 10:30am & 2pm

Tickets: Free

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Thursday 13 August, Bangor Abbey Graveyard Tour

Tour departs from Bangor Abbey, 7pm

Tickets: £3

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 15 August – Friday 21 August

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, Family Fun at Cockle Row Cottages

Groomsport Harbour

Free entertainment, 2pm-4pm.

Sat 15: Children’s Crafts, Jumping Clay

Sun 17: Glitter Tattoos, Ark Open Farm, Ulster Scots Agency Entertainment

Cottages open to the public 11am-5pm. Free admission

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 15 and 16 August, Fun at the Lough

Portaferry, various locations

Free Entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Free entertainment every weekend this August in Portaferry, including Fishy Fun Street Theatre, Exploris Discovery Tank and Exhibitions.

Sat 8: Pirate Peg

Sun 9: Pirate Living Statue and Pirate Lass

Info: Portaferry Visitor Information Centre, (028) 4272 9882, Portaferryvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 16  August, Live Music at the Bandstand

Ward Park, Bangor

Free entertainment, 3pm – 5pm

Join us for the summer season of free live music every Sunday in Ward Park, with a fantastic line up of eclectic music that everyone is sure to enjoy.

This week’s act:  Dave HOWELL AND THE Jazzmeisters (Jazz)

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 16 August, Summer Band Concert

Comber Square

Free entertainment, 3pm – 4pm

Join us for the summer season of free band concerts every Sunday in Newtownards, Comber or Donaghadee.

This week’s band: Ards Silver Band

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 15 August, From an Abbey to a Stately Home (Coach Tour)

Tour departs from Ards Visitor Information Centre

Tickets: £18 (Ad), £16 (Con), £9 (Ch)

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Saturday 15 August, Nautical Past, Short Sea Cruise Belfast Lough

Tour departs from The Jetty, Pickie Funpark

Tickets: £10

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Sunday 16 August, Copeland Island Boat Tour

Tour departs from Donaghadee Harbour

Tickets: £8 (Ad), £7 (Con), £4 (Ch)

Info: Ards Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9182 6846, ardsvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Wednesday 19 August, Kids Nature Trail, Castle Park

Tour departs from North Down Museum

Ticket: Free

Info: Bangor Visitor Information Centre, (028) 9127 0069, bangorvic@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk, visitardsandnorthdown.com

Exhibitions

North Down Museum, Bangor

Castle Park Avenue, located by Bangor Castle (Town Hall) BT20 4BT

T: 028 9127 1200. Admission Free

Tuesday 4 August – Sunday 6 September

The Creative Peninsula Exhibition – Now in its 14th year, this thriving event features Open Studios, Tours, Exhibitions, Workshops, Demonstrations and more.

Portaferry Visitor Information Centre

The Stables, Castle Street BT22 1NZ

T: 028 4272 9882. Admission Free

Friday 31 July – Saturday 29 August

Art in the Loft – ‘Ocean Reflections on the Creative Process’ – Drawings, sketches & panting proofs by Seacourt Print Workshop Artists.

Ards Crafts and Visitor Information Centre

31 Regent Street, Newtownards, BT23 4AD

T: 028 9182 6846 Admission Free

Friday 31 July – Saturday 29 August

Meet the Maker: ‘Outside of Us’ – An exhibition by ceramicist Sharon Regan

Colin Glen Forest Park

Colin Glen Forest Park is a beautiful wooded glen located in the southwest of Belfast City in the heart of the Belfast Hills. Visitors can expect to enjoy beautiful woodland walks, adventurous outdoor activities and superb leisure facilities with a spectacular unparalleled view over Belfast City from a height!

Colin Glen Adventure Centre

Our ever increasing portfolio of Outdoor Activities ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy at Colin Glen

SKYTrek – is Ireland’s premier high & Low ropes activity centre including Climbing Wall & Challenges, Zip Lines & Fan Descender.  SKYTrek offers an adventurous day out for all! Suitable for everyone, from 5 years and up, SKYTrek will take you out of your comfort zone and force you to overcome challenges at height, leaving you with elated self confidence in your ability to master all of life’s difficulties!

Kayaking – Our nearby man-made lake at the top of the beautiful glen is perfect for beginners, right through to more experienced paddlers. Our qualified team of kayaking instructors will be on board to ensure you not only have a great day in the water but also learn new skills and improve your kayaking ability.

Lazer-tag – This exhilarating outdoor experience is a game of wits and cunning, stealth and strategy. At close combat try and lead your team to victory using our infra-red gaming guns while navigating through the wilderness of the forest.

Mountain Biking – Mountain Biking is the most fun you can have on two wheels. We have recently introduced a brand new fleet of Vitus bikes with sizes available for all sizes/ages. Learn new skills like: How to track stand, Overcoming tricky obstacles. Blaze the trails of the forest park, master berms & drop offs

Team Games – A range of Physical, Mental & Skill based problem solving & initiative tasks. These ‘Krypton Factor’ Style Games tailored to your age group. Each game focuses on progressive learning in areas such as planning, communication, leadership, motivation and team work.

Raft building – Robinson Crusoe eat your heart out! This water based competitive team challenge involves constructing a raft from barrels, planks and rope with a little encouragement from our skilled staff.

Bubble football – Crash, Bounce, Bump and Flip in the most unique, bizarre and energetic football game you will ever take part in.

Archery – Try your hand at archery, this exciting sport is suitable for all ages and abilities, enabling everyone to challenge themselves and develop skills such as accuracy, concentration and mental discipline.

Colin Glen Multisports

The Most unique sports complex in N.I. With a fantastic 9 hole golf course, 16 bay floodlit Driving Range and golf lessons from PRO Peter Martin. This along with the 3G floodlit multisport pitch complex ensures we are at the heart of local sport.

Golf – Colin Glen Golf Course is a challenging nine hole course which has recently been redeveloped and significant improvements made such as new tee boxes, water features and a number of pot bunkers. Our dedicated landscape team maintain the greens and keeping the course in great condition for a pleasurable golfing experience.

Driving range – Our state of the art driving range appeals to everyone from beginners to the top young and senior players. The driving range consists of:

• 16 fully equipped bays with Power-tee automated tees
• Indoor/Outdoor teaching bay
• Two left-handed bays
• 250yards with a range of targets from 50m onwards
• Floodlighting to cater for night-time use and high standard ball stop fencing.

Golf lessons – With our very own Pro Peter Martin on site, we are proud to claim he has improved everyone who has ever taken a lesson with him. He offers the latest in video technology in his own private teaching bay, equipped with indoor swing nets.

He offers a range of lessons including:

• Pitching
• Putting
• Irons
• Drivers
• Playing & course management lessons

Gym 10 – Gym 10 is our brand new fully accessible fitness room containing a full range of cardiovascular and weights training machines. Our fully qualified personal trainers offer inductions & programmes for new members with prices starting at just £3.50 per sessions and membership from Just £15.00 per month – for your induction give us a call on 028 90 601 133.

3G Sports arena – Our 3g sports arena caters for a number of sports such as Soccer, Gaelic Football, Hurling and Rugby, this synthetic, sand based area consists of 4 self-contained, small sided areas. With state of the art floodlighting this facility offers the best in playing surface for training, coaching, sports development, birthday parties and small sided games.

The River to Lough Festival is back promising a festival of fun this August bank holiday weekend in Toome with the chance to taste the world renowned Lough Neagh eel.

The Eel Fishery opens its doors to the public for the second year on Saturday 29 August to showcase the Lough Neagh eel fishing industry.  The inaugural River to Lough Festival last year drew thousands from across the area and beyond to taste the world famous delicacy and this year’s flagship festival event will see fishermen tell stories of the history and heritage on the lough while festivalgoers sample Lough Neagh eel.

Northern Ireland born award winning food writer and television presenter James McIntosh will be hosting cookery demonstrations and there will be an opportunity to browse the eel exhibition, take a tour of the factory and shop at the artisan food and craft stalls.  Traditional boat displays will feature and live music will provide background music throughout the day!

James will be joined to demonstrate eel cooking by BBC Radio Ulster’s Paula McIntyre, David Gilmore of James Street South and Eddie Attwell of Ard Tara.

New to the festival this year is the Taste & Dine pop-up restaurant, serving a traditional eel supper from 12 – 4pm.  Tickets can be purchased online with early bird rates available from August 5th at www.rivertolough.co.uk.  Booking in advance is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

Eimear Kearney, Marketing Manager, Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “The River to Lough Festival promises heritage, culture, history, fun and most importantly, a chance to taste the world renowned Lough Neagh eel. We are confident based on last year’s event that this will truly offer something for all the family to enjoy.”

River to Lough Festival on Saturday 29 August has been made possible by Lough Neagh Fishermen’s Co-operative, Lough Neagh Partnership, Mid Ulster District Council, Tourism NI and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s NI Regional Food Programme.

More details can be found at www.rivertolough.co.uk and you can follow Lough Neagh on facebook at www.facebook.com/loughneaghanditswaterways, call Lough Neagh Partnership on tel 028 7941 7941 or email at info@discoverloughneagh.com.

A team of 30 determined and dauntless women will take on a unique 30-day charity fitness challenge this autumn. Could you be one of them?

Cancer Fund for Children, the leading NI charity for children and young people living with cancer is calling on women aged 18 and over to sign up to pretty TOUGH. It will take place in the greater Belfast area and will involve indoor and outdoor activities catering to all fitness levels which will run from September 21st to October 20th, 2015.

Led by Bangor-based Tribal Fitness, the challenge is just the excuse to get outdoors, get fit and have some fun. Locations include Ashfield School in Belfast, the Ozone at Ormeau Park and Seapark in Holywood. Activities include circuits, bootcamp drills, team games and relays as well as relaxation.

At the same time participants will be raising vital funds for Cancer Fund for Children, a charity dedicated to ensuring families don’t have to face cancer alone through its unique offer of practical, emotional and financial support services as well as free therapeutic short breaks to families across the island of Ireland.

Cancer Fund for Children service user and NI 4 Kids magazine’s Mum of the Year -Tracey McGeehan is getting behind the pretty TOUGH recruitment campaign. She organised similar events in her home county of Tyrone recently which raised over £40k. She decided to support the charity’s work after receiving help when her little girl Cassie was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010 aged just 18 months.

Tracey said: “Events like pretty TOUGH are a perfect way of getting out there and getting fit. This challenge will also raise funds for a charity that really helped my family through such a difficult time by offering us a free short break at its therapeutic facility Daisy Lodge in Newcastle which allowed us to escape the pressures of hospital visits and treatment.”

Cancer Fund for Children’s CEO Gillian Creevy said: “By taking part in pretty TOUGH your support will be helping families affected by cancer get through the “toughest time of their lives”. Every week in Northern Ireland another three children, teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer. We rely on donations and goodwill from the public. Funds raised will enable our team of experienced specialists to help even more families cope with the impact cancer has on their lives supporting them during and after treatment and sadly in some cases, bereavement.”

The registration fee for pretty TOUGH is £70. Minimum sponsorship is £300. A full timetable will be provided upon registration. For more information or to register log on to cancerfundforchildren.com, call 028 9080 5599 or email alex@cancerfundforchildren.com.

Packed schedule of events in the hospitality marquee

THE Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix Bike Week is home to a full schedule of unmissable events every evening.

On Monday 3^rd August, a cavalcade of classic cars and motorcycles will leave Lagan Valley LeisurePlex to take part in a parade lap of the Dundrod Circuit, followed by a quiz in aid of the Injured Riders Welfare Fund at 8.30pm in the marquee.

On Tuesday 4^th August, all are welcome to attend a ‘Night of Nostalgia’, which will include the launch of a book by Roy Harris entitled ‘Just For the Thrill Of It’. The new book captures the high and low points of racing, motocross and trials through the 70s.

On Wednesday 5^th August from 9pm the marquee will host a fantastic Night at the Races. This will be followed by a Young Guns event where fans can meet the future stars of road racing and take part in a Q&A session, plus live music from The Good Times.

Thursday evening will see magician Rodd Hogg entertain the crowds, before the Miss UGP hopefuls take to the stage to see who will be crowned the winner of the 2015 contest. Live music from Stevie Johns will follow.

On Friday 7^th August at 11am all are welcome to a meet the riders event at Topaz Airport Road Service Station, before a broadcast from BBC Radio Ulster’s Hugo Duncan at 1pm live from the paddock.

At 5pm on Friday, everyone is invited to the paddock walkabout when riders will have their awnings up, ready to meet and greet fans. At 7pm there will be a trials bike display followed by the infamous Purple Helmets stunt show at Nutt’s Corner Stock Car Track.

At 8pm on Friday evening, the UGP Supporters Club Chat Show will take place, with live entertainment afterwards from RJ Rocks.

To conclude the week of entertainment, everyone is invited to the Chequered Flag wrap up party on Saturday night from 8pm, with live music from High Times.

Noel Johnston, Clerk of the Course at the Metzeler Ulster Grand Prix said: “We’ve really worked to improve the schedule of bike week events and we hope as many people as possible will support our efforts and make the most of the entertainment on offer.

“It’ll be great craic – and what better place to spend your week than the paddock at the world’s fastest road race, the atmosphere will be electric!”

Entry to the events on Wednesday and Thursday night will be £5 and tickets can be bought on the door or from the Race Office.

For more information and a full programme of Bike Week events visit www.ulstergrandprix.net or you can also follow @UlsterGrandPrix on Twitter and find us on Facebook.

W5 is offering fantastic group rates to crèches, after-school clubs and summer schemes during August.

Explore over 250 interactive exhibits including the ALL NEW technological marvel that is ‘RoboThespian’, our BIGGEST EVER exhibit ‘Climbit’, ‘Discovery’ a special exhibition area for the under eights and watch science demonstration shows throughout the day!

Groups can also choose to enhance their visit with one of our brilliant summer workshops! Groups can choose from the following;

Fish ’N Ships – under 8s
Ahoy there salty sea urchins, join us as we celebrate tall ships, tiny boats and all things fishy and fun in our latest super summer workshop.  Discover sea creatures above and below the waves then test your skills by catching a crusty crustacean, a shifty shark or even an eight-legged friend!

Tall Ship Champion of Champions – over 8s
Is your sail in ship shape? To celebrate the Tall Ships Races 2015 come along to design, build and test your very own tall ship. Will it survive the choppy waters of W5?  Can you cross the channel to the finish line first and become W5’s 2015 Tall Ships champion?

Rogue Robots: A Lasertag Activity – strictly over 8s
It is 2115 and for many years The Space Council has been sending research robots into deep space on planetary exploration missions. But our scientists now believe that a form of alien intelligence has taken control of our robots. The Space Council has declared that we need to send specially trained RoboSquads to deactivate, recover and reprogramme these rogue robots. Using phasers you will be challenged to deactivate robot targets as you make your way through two target range sets. Have you got what it takes to be a member of RoboSquad and will your squad deactivate the most robots in the time available to be crowned RoboSquad Champions?

Cost

General Admission: 10am-2pm – £3 | After 2pm – £4
Workshops: + £1.50
Adults free per 1:10 supervision ratio (additional adults £7)

All summer workshops are 30 minutes. For more information or to make a booking please contact our booking team on 028 90467790/7793 or visit our website www.w5online.co.uk/education

The Curious Wedding Fair, sponsored by SS Nomadic is Belfast’s newest and most unique wedding fair!

The Curious Wedding Fair will be showcasing an eclectic range of unique and unusual wedding suppliers with a few of the more traditional elements thrown in!

Taking place on the fabulously restored SS Nomadic on Sunday 6^th September from 1pm till 5pm, admission is free and the first 50 onboard will receive a free goody bag. The fair is spread over the 3 decks of SS Nomadic and guests will encounter everything from dresses and cakes to inflatable photo booths and human tables! The Curious Live Lounge will take place under an impressive stretch tent on the bridge deck all afternoon, with the final of the Win Some Wedding Sparkle Competition and The Curious Catwalk taking place at 3pm.

The Curious Wedding Fair is hosted by Sparkle Wedding Magazine. Sparkle Wedding Magazine was launched in December 2014 as a white wedding alternative magazine for Northern Ireland. At present Sparkle is the only white wedding alternative magazine based within Northern Ireland. The magazine has now published 3 issues and is available to purchase from newsagents across Northern Ireland.

Sparkle Weddings – “Pushing the boundaries of the Traditional White Wedding.”