Lumarina Set To Light Up the Lough!
After its success last year, Lumarina, the family friendly, fun filled, free event at Ballyronan Marina is back on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th August.
This annual spectacular illumination has gained a reputation for amazing entertainment, with the picturesque backdrop of the Lough providing a unique atmosphere at this family themed event.
On Friday 18 August, from 6pm – 10pm, Mid Ulster District Council will shine a light on the beauty of Lough Neagh, as the Marina provides the backdrop for an evening of music and entertainment.
Featuring fireworks, fire performers, a fun fair, children’s activities and food stalls, you can drink in the views from the Marina as dusk turns to night skies, to a live music soundtrack provided by Peach, a four piece band from Co. Antrim. Peach have performed with some of the most prestigious event promoters and acts in the country including Patrick Kielty and more recently playing with Chris DeBurgh and supporting the legendary Van Morrison!
The fun continues on the shores of Lough Neagh on Saturday afternoon (19th August) from 2pm – 6pm, with arts and crafts activities for the little ones, African drumming workshops, and magic shows.
Older children and the more adventurous among us with a head for heights can try their hands at the climbing wall and bungee trampoline, and much more!
Live music on Saturday afternoon is provided by The Bizz Band, the band everyone wants to dance to! From Moira, with a mixture of cover versions that range from Adele, Whitney Houston, The Scissor Sisters and Tom Jones to Journey, Garth Brooks, Lonestar, Jackie Wilson, you’re sure to be entertained!
Visit www.midulstercouncil.org/lumarina for further details.
Friday 4 August, Craft in the Square 
While kids are enjoying the summer, parents are forward planning for September – don’t worry you can get everything you need in one trip to Buttercrane Shopping Centre, in the heart of Newry.
This County Down/USA Duo are often compared to Johnny Cash & June Carter with their chemistry and stage presence as they tend to captivate audiences just by being themselves. Having fun and keeping it real. Making sweet, simple rock and roll. The two combine their instrumental talents with strong harmonies and high energy, bringing genuine joy to the show and instantly connecting to every audience.
Why not make good use of the holidays to learn or perfect your skills in acting, singing and dancing. Over the course of five days a professional director, musical director & choreographer will work with you on scenes, songs and dances from some of the most popular musicals around, before you perform ‘Showstoppers’ on The Market Place’s Main Stage in front of your own live audience. Believe us, it’s the best fun the summer can be!
The town will host 141 events in 42 venues over the 31 days of August, with around 400 local musicians, actors, authors, chefs and artists, 120 local businesses and almost 100 volunteers contributing to this year’s festival.
“Never in our wildest dreams did we expect the event to become this big in only thee years and we couldn’t be more delighted” a spokesman told us. The event, which is free to the public, raises funds for charity and this year monies raised will go to the Air Ambulance.
Eleven acts performed over the weekend to a panel of judges in bid to take the coveted prize – the chance to record an EP of their own original production at Small Town America Records and a chance to have their own video produced by The Pulse Centre. There will also be a runner up prize in honour of the late musician ‘Rainy Boy Sleep’.
Over 200 dogs and their owners turned out for the quirky event, which featured a range of stalls offering doggy treats and canine crafts. Vendors included Murphy’s Barkery, Frozzys frozen dog yoghurts,
Now in its sixth year Antrim Castle Gardens was transformed into a festival of fun for the whole family.