Full steam ahead to the Showgrounds

BALLYMENA Steam Rally is now in its 43rd year and continues to grow and be regarded as one of the biggest and best events of its kind in Northern Ireland each year.

This year’s event will be held in the Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17 and promises to have something on offer for all of the family.

Hugo Duncan and his popular Radio Ulster Roadshow will be in attendance on Friday, broadcasting live from the event between 1.30 and 3.00 p.m.

There will be a large number of vintage exhibits on show – ranging from the largest steam traction engines to the smallest stationary engines.

Hundreds of tractors make their way to Ballymena each year to showcase their wonderful restorations and this year will be no exception, with a special display of David Brown tractors planned.

The NI School of Falconry will have a static display of their birds on show, allowing the public to get up close to these wonderful creatures and they will also be putting on a flying demonstration in the arena on each of the two days.

A craft marquee will showcase all sorts of handmade goodies and the children will be well catered for with amusements, bouncy castles and a mini farm with a wide range of animals.

All in all the show will be action packed from it starts to it ends, attracting exhibitors and spectators from throughout the UK and Ireland.

With a family admission ticket priced at just 15 the place to be on Friday, 16 and Saturday, July 17 July is certainly Ballymena Showgrounds.