Dunloy band's Ulster Scots Festival and parade

One of these events and one which is now a much anticipated part of the calendar in Ballymoney, is the annual Ulster Scots Festival and Parade organised by the members of Dunloy Accordion Band.

From its early origins at the bands’ 50th anniversary, the Dunloy Accordion Band Ulster Scots Festival has now grown to be one of the premiere events of its kind in the province. This year the Festival begins on Thursday July 29th and runs until Saturday 31st and features a host of top class events and artistes that has come to be synonymous with the Festival.

A spokesperson from the band outlined the history behind the Festival:-

‘’ We started our Festival back in our 50th anniversary year and since then it has gone from strength to strength. While the Festival is an outlet for the expression of our proud Ulster Scots heritage and culture, its main objective always has been and always will remain to provide a big thank you from our band to the people of Ballymoney and surrounding areas. Over the years, we have been truly blessed with the support we have received from the public which has often seen our band through some very difficult times particularly those surrounding the parades issue in Dunloy village.

“So as a thank you for this unparalleled support, we see the provision of the Festival as a token of our thanks and appreciation to the public. The Festival is very family friendly and orientated to the inclusion of all ages & particularly children. All events are free and without entrance charge which is a very important factor for us in helping to keep the Festival events open for everyone.

Traditionally, the Festival is always rounded off with our annual parade of bands through the town centre. Last year this was one of the biggest of its kind and attracted no less than 86 participating bands. The evenings’ events will start at 7pm with band concerts at Castlecroft and also High Street.

At Castlecroft you can hear that most traditional of instruments….the Lambeg Drum. After their performance in the main part of the Festival Concert, Balliesmills Accordion Band will also provide further entertainment as only they know how. Both these performances from the Drums and the band are not to be missed. At High Street from 7pm Commons Silver Band from Newry and Sir George White Memorial Flute Band from Broughshane will take part in an open air concert. The Commons Silver Band is one of the provinces’ foremost silver bands and can be seen regularly in performances throughout the length and breadth of the country. The Sir George White Memorial Flute Band need no introduction to a Ballymoney audience and is one of the provinces’ finest exponents of Melody Flute Band music. With a large repertoire of military marches and traditional pieces this band has something to offer all discerning music enthusiasts.

This year the parade will begin again from the Showgrounds at 8 pm sharp and make its way along Charlotte Street and then the usual route around the town. The Commons Silver Band from Newry will head the procession for us and we hope to have the usual mix of Brass, Flute, Part-music Flute and Accordion bands parading the town.

Also spectators should keep their eyes peeled this year for the members of Ballykeel Flute Band who are parading as part of a sponsored walk in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. While we work really hard throughout the year attending parades to attract visiting bands to the town, the biggest attraction for our visiting bands and one which they always comment on, is the warm and enthusiastic reception they receive from the spectators along the parade route, a feature they say is a very notable part of their visit to Ballymoney. ‘’

The program of events in this years’ Dunloy Accordion Band Ulster Scots Festival is as wide and varied as ever and begins on Thursday July 29th at 8 pm with an Ulster Scots cookery demonstration in Edward Street Social Centre. Some fantastic traditional recipes and cooking skills will be on offer in an event that was one of the highlights of last years’ Festival. Admission is entirely free of charge and everybody is encouraged to come along for a great nights’ craic.

Saturday 31st continues the Festival program with Castlecroft becoming the host area for an Ulster Scots Breakfast & storytelling from Mr Charlie Gillen from 11am until 12 midday. Come along for a bite of breakfast & be entertained with humorous poems & interesting stories.

At 1pm the main part of the days’ Festival will be launched at the Castlecroft area of the town. The line up for this years Festival is as follows although audiences are advised to see local press nearer the 31st for exact performance times:-

Baillies Mills Accordion Band – the band are well known throughout the province and beyond for the quality and professionalism of their musicianship. They will perform a 30 minute slot from the main stage during the major part of the Festival.

Brian Johnston - a key person in any event is the compere. Brian haling from Co .Down is a regular visitor to the festival & his knowledge of everything musical will assist him introducing the artistes.

Blazin' Bellows- this Ulster Scots ensemble is made up of local artists. They will entertain in music & song with arrangements from both sides of the Irish Sea.

Churchill Flute Band- One of our premiere part music flute bands. The Londonderry band will play a wide range of music from Marches to contemporary pieces.

Bright Lights Highland Dancers- the Belfast based troupe of dancers will perform various sets from Traditional Scots to modern pieces.

Skullduggery- A new group made up of local players they feature many instruments including accordion, keyboard, pipes, flute & percussion. We look forward to their first performance at the festival with their mix of Ulster Scots, traditional, folk & modern pieces.

The Festival, which is funded by the Ulster Scots Agency and Ballymoney Borough Council, will also include bouncy castles and face painters, balloons, flags etc and the public are reminded admission to the Festival and the cookery demonstrations are entirely free of charge.

The band would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their continued support and would encourage everyone to come along on the day and enjoy the music and performances on offer during the Festival. Or why not make it a whole day out for the family and stay on in the town for the parade of bands which will then begin at 8 pm.

(Contributed)