Family fun in the run up to the '˜big day'

Portadown's Twelfth celebrations start tonight (Friday) night with a full parade of the District lodges out to the new '˜field' at Armagh Road, for its official opening.

The parade leaves Carleton Street at 7pm, and will be accompanied by 10 bands. The opening is by Rev John Pickering, in the presence of hundreds of Orangemen and officers led by District Master Darryl Hewitt.

Said Mr Hewitt, “The new gates are in place and we are proud of the new field, which will be the venue of the Twelfth demonstration, a flagship event and the biggest of all the demonstrations.”

Then, on Saturday night, the field will be used for a family fun night, with everyone invited. It will include all the fun of the fair, a band tattoo, and a full demonstration by the NI Fire and Rescue Service.

“It will be a fun and educational night,” said Mr Hewitt.

n Three new banners will be on display in the Portadown Twelfth parade. Ballyworkan Truth Defenders LOL No 19 in Portadown District unfurled their banner in June, while banners were unfurled for Crosskeys LOL No 88 in Keady District and Ballyrea LOL 309 in Killylea District.

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