Downshire GS hosts its annual parade on Friday

The band through many year’s of hard work and commitment can boast to having one of the largest and most popular parades to be held in Northern Ireland each year.

The Band is hoping to get close to the ninety bands that attended last year’s parade again this year.

Band Master Stephen Sergeant explained “Like a majority of bands our season starts back in mid march and to date the band have done somewhere in the region of 70 parades which makes it a very long and hard season

“But it’s at our annual parade where we see the reward of travelling the length and breadth of country each and every weekend.”

“Like in previous years we always try to do something a little different.

“This year will be no exception as we are delighted to have a mass pipe band taking part in the parade this year which should look and sound great” explained Stephen Sergeant.

The Downshire Guiding Star will leave Banbridge Orange Hall at 7pm and parade the town before laying a wreath at the War Memorial in memory of former member LCpl Stephen McKee killed in action while serving with the Royal Irish Regiment in Afghanistan.

The main parade will start from Commercial Road car park at 7.30pm with Ulster’s top marching bands on view coming from all genres including Accordion, pipe bands, melody flute as well as blood and thunder.

The Band our hoping for the usual large turnout of spectators both young and old to come out and support the band and ask anyone coming to the parade to obey the instructions of marshals and the PSNI.

“The band have also laid on the usual entertainment for the kids with a few Disney characters flying in to hand out some flags and sweets,” stated Chairman Keith Hamilton