When it comes to aerial excitement, there is nothing quite so spectacular as the annual B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight. But on Saturday 6 August there will also be plenty of drama at ground level too.
Almost overtaking the aerial roar of aircraft engines, the Belfast Chapter of the Harley-Davidson Owners’ Group will roar into town to put their fabulous vehicles on eye-catching display outside the Newcastle Centre.
This will be the first time that Newcastle has hosted a HOG Rally with over 300 riders are expected to cruise into town with their leathers and metal making grown men go weak at the knees in unbridled admiration!
The good-humoured Chapter members have even promised plenty of photo opportunities. See them arrive in Newcastle with a grand parade through the town, revving in at 5pm on Friday 5 August.
Engineering from a different era will be on show close by with the Ulster Military Vehicle Club breezing into the park in jeeps and army vehicles which are so beautifully maintained they look like they have just been driven off the set of a war movie.
The Ulster Aviation Society will be represented by their meticulously restored Spitfire and a ‘bubble-front’ helicopter, both of which have magnetic appeal for ‘youngsters’ from 8 to 80. While the Ulster Model Aircraft Club will give an aerial display of their own before the full-size aircraft zoom in to dominate the skies.
Adding to the free family fun at the Aviation Village will be displays from many of the agencies who work together to make the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight such a success, and safe for all concerned.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service will have a gleaming red fire engine on show, while the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team and the PSNI will all showcase their working vehicles. The RNLI and Sea Cadet Corps will each have demonstration boats on show while Air Cadets will bring their fully restored Jet Provost cockpit and the RAF will host a mini assault course. Colourful stalls will offer the chance to get in a little relaxed retailing or find out more about organisations such as the National Trust and local businesses such as Eclipse Cinemas.
Downs Road Pathway Adventure Activities will be encouraging visitors to have a supervised go at their climbing tower while the Wartime Living History Association re-creates some of the happier memories of World War II, celebrating the arrival of GIs in County Down back in 1942. Nearby, Disability Sports Roadshow will keep the fun going for sports fans.
Throughout the town there will be activities , most of them free, to delight the younger members of the family, from street performances by Aviation Stilt Walkers and Big Jim The Pirate to opportunities to design your own windsock or piggy bank and at Murlough Bay, just outside the town, there will be an Art Attack experience for kids.
Newcastle’s traditional family favourites, including the Pedalo Swans, Tropicana Pool and The Newcastle Footgolf Centre, will all be open for business during the Festival of Flight.
Celebrating NI Year Of Food and Drink 2016, the Festival will provide a culinary showcase for some of the region’s finest local produce with opportunities to taste, enjoy and buy.
Teeing up the party and previewing the attractions of the big day will be event media partner U105. Local personalities, Frank Mitchell and Johnny Hero are broadcasting live throughout Friday 5 August from their studio at The Newcastle Centre, with special guests and regular updates on the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight. On Saturday 6 August U105’s Frank Mitchell and Pamela Ballantine will be keeping Festival-goers company and revving up the fun.
Also joining U105 presenters for a special visit is Jim Brown from the Elvis tribute act who will be taking to the festival stage following the air display. A high flying Vegas style end to a high flying day!
For the latest information about the B/E Aerospace Festival of Flight visit:
or pick up one of the souvenir programmes available in the Newcastle Visitor Information Centre or in outlets across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, or call 028 4372 2222.
