‘Commemoration to Celebration’ Pageant in Broughshane

The free ‘Commemoration to Celebration’ pageant, will have a community festival feel and family atmosphere, while celebrating the centenary of Teenies Flute Band, marking the 100th anniversary of the Great World War and also the 75th anniversary of World War Two.

Numerous bands, representating the full spectrum of musical traditions will take part in the pageant, which starts at 1.30pm and which will also feature displays of memorabilia, war vehicles & military equipment, lambeg drums and people in period costume.

As part of the build up to the afternoon in Broughshane, other fringe events will take place throughout the borough.

A piper will get activities off to a musical start at 9am when he plays from the foot of Slemish and this will be followed at 11am by the sounding of the bells at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland on Ballymena’s Castle Street.

A number of other musical performances will take place in the town centre and shoppers will be entertained by the Ulster Scots Band at the Braid Terrace from 11.30-12.30 as well as performances from the Blue Grass Band and JT Jazz Combo Band at the Tower Centre.

The undoubted highlight of the day and the kick-start to activities in Broughshane will the colourful, musical and historical Pageant Procession which will set off from the Community Centre at 2pm to the Tullymore Road and back, led by a 1914-style military uniformed fife & drum band. - A stop will be made on their outward route through the village at the War Memorial where a wreath will be laid by the oldest living Teenies’ member.

Event organiser Maurice Mills says: “There was a need and a desire to mark a number of milestones as part of this event. This is how we came up with the unique mix in our slogan of ‘Commemoration to Celebration’. We want as many people as possible to join us and enjoy the celebrations while also being in a position to mark some historic times.”