Olympic Torch concert in Portrush

On Sunday, June 3 Portrush’s East Strand car park will come to life with headline acts including local band General Fiasco, who have been getting lots of airplay lately on Radio 1, as well as X-Factor stars Janet Devlin and Kitty Brucknell.

The concert, targeted at families, will give 10,000 lucky people the opportunity to witness the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, take in an exciting mini air display and then dance the night away with local and celebrity guests.

The evening celebration is being delivered by Coleraine Council in association with London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Coca-Cola, Samsung and NITB.

Gates will open for entry on the day at 3.30pm until 5.30pm, and the event will run from 4pm until 8.30pm. The venue capacity is disabled friendly and a loop system is being installed for those with hearing disabilities.

The Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley, said: “This concert will celebrate the entering of the London Olympic Torch into the Borough of Coleraine. It is part of Council’s two week programme of events which commences on May 26 until June 10, many of the events free and details will be available on May 15.

“Tickets for the concert are free with a maximum of four per adult, available from this Saturday. For those who don’t manage to get the limited tickets available, I thoroughly recommend that everyone comes and supports the Olympic Torch by animating the route. It is going to be an incredible once in a life time event.”

The Portrush event roars into action at 4pm with a fantastic air display featuring a World War 2 RAF Dakota, a modern RAF Grob trainer and an RAF Hawk jet, as used by The Red Arrows.

The entertainment will then continue with some local talent as a youth selection from the Ballywillan Drama Group perform songs from their award winning production of ‘The Sound of Music’. There will also be a showcase from Coca-Cola featuring the fantastic General Fiasco, as well as a stunning showcase from Samsung featuring live dance performances.

During the concert a Civic Ceremony will see the Olympic Torch arrive on stage to light the Olympic Cauldron, and this truly once in a life time experience will be a moment for families to remember for years to come.

Following the Civic celebration spectators will then be treated to more community entertainment as local artists, including the Dominic Graham School of Irish Dance, perform a Celtic Fusion of music and dance. The night will finish up with X-Factor local singing sensation Janet Devlin and a grand finale from fellow X-Factor star Kitty Brucknell.

Throughout the show, the audience will also have the opportunity participate in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola and Samsung.

These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities. Concert goers will also have the opportunity to purchase food and drink (non-alcoholic only) throughout the event.

Tickets are free but limited to 10,000. They will be available to the public on Saturday, May 12th, from 10am to 2pm at the following locations within the Borough: Coleraine Leisure Centre, Jim Watt Leisure Centre, Garvagh and Portstewart Town Hall (Minor Hall).

Tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.