By Julie Waters
PIPE bands, music, dance and a festival spirit will be taking centre stage as Bangor Vibes hits the high notes of success during a weekend of entertainment.
As excitement builds for Belfast’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Bangor is striking the first chord with Beats and Rhythms, a vibrant celebration of Irish music, dance and culture taking place in the city centre on Saturday from 1pm to 9pm.
The event forms part of Bangor Vibes, a weekend-long programme of music, culture, pipe band competition and family-friendly entertainment taking place across Bangor, transforming the city into a lively seaside festival destination.
Hosted by Cool FM’s Rebecca McKinney, Bangor Beats and Rhythms will take centre stage in Holborn Square, show- casing some of the best local traditional music and dance talent.
The programme will feature performances from Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí hEireann (Ards CCÉ), high-energy Irish dancing from the Lauren Smyth Academy of Dance, traditional and contemporary songs, interactive set dancing sessions led by Oisín McCann, and a lively grand finale from The Hoolie Hootenanny.
A vibrant festival atmosphere will fill the city centre, with visitors invited to enjoy live entertainment, discover local talent, soak up the buzz in Bangor’s cafés, bars and restaurants, and explore the city’s coastal setting.
These experiences will sit alongside one of the weekend’s headline attractions – the 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships, returning to Ward Park on Saturday from 11am to 6pm.
The prestigious competition will welcome pipe bands from across Northern Ireland and beyond, bringing colour, pageantry and the sound of pipes and drums to the heart of Bangor for a full day of spectacle and skill.
As the Championships draw to a close, the city will come alive once more with a special end-of-day parade, filling Bangor with the unmistakable energy of pipes and drums.
Adding to the celebrations, Bangor Amplified, sponsored by Bangor Chamber of Commerce, will run from July 31 to August 2, bringing a host of traditional bands, talented musicians and Irish music sessions to pubs and venues across the city centre.
To enhance the festival atmosphere, Crosby Street and Mill Row will be closed to traffic on Saturday, creating a vibrant space for visitors to enjoy the festivities.
Mayor Craig Blaney said: “Bangor Beats and Rhythms is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Bangor at its very best and to bring the city to life through music, dance and entertainment.
“From the traditional music and dance in Holborn Square to the colour and spectacle of the 73rd Ulster Pipe Band Championships in Ward Park, Bangor Vibes will offer a fantastic weekend of culture, hospitality and celebration.
“As the Fleadh gets ready to open its doors in Belfast, we want to capture some of the excitement and welcome visitors to Bangor to enjoy our fantastic hospitality and beautiful coastal setting. Bangor is the perfect place to start the Fleadh celebrations and we look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far.”
For full programme details go to www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/bangorvibes.
