OrangeFest in Ahoghill

Ahoghill District LOL No. 12, organisers of the ‘Triangle’ demonstration, which incorporates the Portglenone and Cullybackey Districts, are pulling out all the stops to offer the wider community something that little bit special.

One of the highlights of OrangeFest 2013 will be a Williamite Historical, Photographic and Video Exhibition in the District Orange Hall until Wednesday, July 10, showing the best of Orange Culture from years gone by.

The climax of OrangeFest 2013 will of course be the 12th of July itself. The main parade will start off at the Galgorm Road/Killane Road junction at 12.30 p.m. sharp making its way to The Diamond in the village centre, before ‘doing the loop’ up around Church Street, then back through The Diamond and onto the Village Playing Fields on the Cullybackey Road.

Watch out for ‘Diamond Dan’ along the parade route, as he will be giving away Union flags to the young people, along with other goodies.

On reaching the field, the sound of the Ulster Scots will fill the air, which will be followed by a religious service, conducted by the Rev. Bro. William Moody of Brookside Pres. Church. While all this is going on the young people from the three villages will have the opportunity to enjoy themselves on a large array of inflatables, ranging from huge bouncy castles to giant slides to a massive 75ft long obstacle course, all available and all free of charge to the general public. Face painting will also be available.

One of the highlights of the day will be the return of the massed lambegs when a massive crescendo of noise will fill the arena from all the lambeg drums that were on parade on the day.

A spokesman for the Ahoghill District Orange Lodge said “We would like to take this opportunity to encourage all members of the community to come along and watch the parade and we warmly invite them to make their way the short distance to the field and join in the fun and entertainment and fully enjoy the day in a relaxed and family atmosphere which has been, for so many years, the hallmark of the Triangle parades.”

There will be toilet facilities at the assembly point together with the toilets at the Community Centre that will be open for most of the day. Catering will also be available at the field.

The organisers have acknowledged the help and support that the District Lodge has received from the generous funding provided by the Community Festivals Fund through the Ballymena Borough Council.